How to Play Seka
The rules of Ethiopian Seka (ሴካ), as played for generations.
Objective
Be the first player to organize every card in your hand into valid combinations — sequences and sets — discarding your very last card to go out.
Setup
A standard 52-card deck is used, no jokers. Player A is dealt 11 cards, Player B is dealt 10. The remaining 31 cards form the draw pile, and Player A opens the game by discarding first.
Sequence (Run)
Three or more cards of the same suit in consecutive order, e.g. 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ or 10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥. Aces are low only.
Set
Three or four cards of the same rank, each a different suit, e.g. 8♠ 8♥ 8♦ or K♠ K♥ K♦ K♣.
Your Turn
1. Draw a card from the stock or take the top discard. 2. Lay down any new valid combinations from your hand. 3. Extend your own combinations already on the table. 4. Discard one card, keeping at least one in hand to do so.
Winning
The moment your discard leaves your hand completely empty — with every other card already resting in valid groups — you win the round.