How to play Whot

The short version of the rules Naija Table uses by default, called Naija Classic. Every table plays a little differently, so you can switch to another rule set or change any rule before a game starts.

The cards

A Whot pack has 54 cards in five shapes: circle, triangle, cross, square and star, plus five Whot cards (numbered 20). There’s no 6 or 9 in any shape.

Getting started

• 2 to 8 players sit at the table. Play goes clockwise.
• Everyone gets 6 cards. One card is turned face up to start the pile, and the rest face down is the market.
• With 7 or 8 players, the game uses two packs.

Your turn

Play one card that matches the top of the pile by shape or number, or play a Whot. If you can’t or don’t want to play, go to market: pick one card, and your turn ends.

The special cards

Card	What happens
1: Hold on	Everyone holds, and you play again.
2: Pick two	The next player picks two cards, unless they play a 2 of their own, which passes on a bigger pick.
5: Pick three	The next player picks three, unless they play a 5 of their own.
8: Suspension	The next player misses their turn.
14: General market	Everyone else picks one card from the market, then you play again.
20: Whot	Play it on anything and ask for a shape. The next player must play that shape or another Whot.

A 2 never answers a 5, and a 5 never answers a 2.

Last card

When you’re down to one card, tap Last card before you play. If you forget and someone catches you in time, you pick two cards.

Checking up

The first player to play their last card checks up and wins the round. Everyone else counts the cards left in their hand: each card scores its number, a Whot scores 20, and a star scores double. Lower is better.

Other ways to play

Rule set	What’s different
Street	Five cards each, a star 8 skips two players, a 10-second turn timer, and you can’t check up on a 1, 8 or 14.
Relaxed	Picks can’t grow, you can play a card straight from the market, and nobody is punished for forgetting to call last card.
Knockout	Rounds keep going. Your leftover cards add to a running score, and anyone who reaches 100 is out.
Original (1935)	The British game: four Whot cards, no special cards, and knockout scoring.