Cambio (4 Card Golf)

Overview

Cambio, also known as 4 Card Golf or simply Cambio, is a fast-paced memory and strategy card game where players try to achieve the lowest score by swapping and replacing cards. The game requires remembering which cards are in front of you and your opponents, as well as timing when to call "Cambio" to end the round.

Setup

1. Dealer shuffles and deals 4 cards face-down to each player
2. Players arrange their 4 cards in a 2x2 grid in front of them
3. Each player may look at their two closest cards (bottom row) once at the start
4. Remaining cards form the draw pile in the center
5. Turn over the top card to start the discard pile
6. Players cannot look at their cards again unless using a special power

Card Values

How to Play

Starting with the player left of the dealer, players take turns with these options:

Option 1: Draw from Deck

1. Draw the top card from the draw pile
2. Look at the card
3. Choose to either:
   • Swap: Replace one of your 4 cards (without looking at it) with the drawn card, discarding the replaced card face-up
   • Discard: Discard the drawn card face-up without swapping

Option 2: Take from Discard Pile

1. Take the top card from the discard pile
2. You must swap it with one of your 4 cards
3. Discard the replaced card face-up

Special Card Powers

When you draw certain cards from the deck, not the discard pile, they trigger special actions:

Important: Powers are triggered when the card is drawn from the deck not when it is discarded from your hand. This means you can use the power of the card and then choose to swap it or discard it.

Calling "Cambio"

At the start of your turn, before drawing or taking from the discard pile, you may call "Cambio!" This signals that you think you have the lowest score.

• All other players get one more turn
• Then all players reveal their cards
• Scores are calculated

Scoring

After "Cambio" is called and all players have taken their final turn:

Calculating Scores

1. Cards add their face values
2. Sum all points
3. If you called "Cambio" and don't have the lowest score, add 10 points

Winning the Game

Multiple rounds are played. Common end conditions:

• Elimination: When a player reaches 50 (or 100) points, they are eliminated. Last player remaining wins.
• Fixed Rounds: After a set number of rounds (e.g., 9 rounds), lowest total score wins
• Target Score: First player to reach a target score (e.g., 50 points) loses, lowest score wins

Variant Rules

Jokers

Add jokers to the deck:

• Worth -2 points or 0 points (house rules)
• When discarded, player may look at any card on the table

6-Card Cambio

Play with 6 cards in a 2x3 grid instead of 4 cards.

Strategy Tips

• Memory is key: Track which cards you've seen (yours and opponents')
• Use powers wisely: Peek and spy powers give you valuable information
• Target high cards: Swap out high-value cards first (Q, J, 10, 9)
• Watch the discard pile: Take from discard if it helps your columns
• Timing "Cambio": Don't call too early - make sure you actually have the lowest score
• Blind swap strategically: Target cards you know are high-value from spy powers
• Early game: Focus on learning your own cards
• Late game: Track opponents' cards to know when to call "Cambio"

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting you can't look at your cards after the initial peek
• Calling "Cambio" with only 2-3 cards memorized
• Not using powers when discarding 7-Q
• Taking from discard pile when it doesn't help your columns
• Forgetting the 10-point penalty for wrong "Cambio" calls
• Not tracking opponents' known cards