What Is Amerikan Okey (Amerikano)? Tiles and Cards
Amerikan Okey, Amerikano and Küt are different names for the same core idea: each round has a contract that must be completed before you can meld. The difference lies in the components. The tile version is usually called Küt, while the card version is Amerikano.
In brief: Amerikan Okey is played with Okey tiles and sets a contract for each round; it is identical to Küt. Amerikano is the card version of the same rules, played with two decks of playing cards and two jokers.
| Topic | Tiles: Küt / Amerikan Okey | Cards: Amerikano |
|---|---|---|
| Components | 106 Okey tiles: 4 colours × 13 numbers × 2, plus 2 false jokers | Two decks of playing cards and two jokers |
| Groups | Küt groups (same number, different colours) and runs (same colour, consecutive) | Küt groups (same number, different suits) and runs (same suit, consecutive) |
| Joker | Okey: one number above the indicator tile; the false joker represents the Okey tile’s number and colour | Joker cards |
| Contract list | 14 or 20 rounds | Usually 12 contracts; a four-card group is called a “kare” |
| Taking from the discard | A player can take it out of turn by drawing a penalty tile | A player can take it out of turn by drawing a penalty card |
| Players | 4 players | 3–5 players |
What they have in common
In both games, you cannot meld until you have completed the contract. On the turn you meld, you cannot add any tiles or cards to the table. Once you have melded, you can add tiles or cards to the groups on the table on later turns. A player can take a discarded tile or card out of turn in exchange for a penalty. Winning means being the first to play all your tiles or cards in a round, and ending the game with the lowest penalty score.
The common contract list for card-based Amerikano is: three-card group, three-card run, three-card run and three-card group, two three-card groups, two three-card runs, kare, four-card run, kare and four-card run, two kare, two four-card runs, five-card run, and finishing in one go. For the full tile-based list, see: Küt Okey rounds.
Frequently asked questions
Are Amerikan Okey and Küt the same game?
They belong to the same game family. The version played with tiles is commonly called Küt or Amerikan Okey, while the card version is called Amerikano. Some card players also call their game Küt.
How many people can play Amerikano?
Card-based Amerikano is played with three to five players. Tile-based Küt is for four players.
What does kare mean in Amerikan Okey?
In card-based Amerikano, a four-card group is called a kare: four cards of the same number in different suits.