Banakil Online
Play Banakil free on JAWNA with friends in a browser, no download. Share a private table link, enjoy voice chat, or use the iPhone and Android app.
Why play Banakil on JAWNA?
- Mic and voice chat right at the Banakil table: talk to the other players while you play.
- Quick match finds you a table with new people fast, or make a private table and send your friends the link.
- No download: it runs in the browser on phone and computer, and there is a JAWNA phone app too.
- Arabic first, with English. Made for the Gulf and the Arab world.
- Free. Extras (table and card looks) are optional, with coins.
- 100+ games in one place: Baloot, Jackaroo, Kout, Tarneeb, Hand, Konkan, Ludo, Dominoes and more.
- Fair play: reports, bans and moderators.
Banakil: goal and players
Play Banakil online on JAWNA at jawna.app. Check the goal and supported player counts before inviting your group. Read the rules even if you know the game: familiar names can have different variants, and your usual house rules may differ from the selected version.
Supported table sizes: 2 or 4 players. Choose a player count in the game settings. In partner variants, check seats and teams first. In individual formats, each player competes for their own result. The in-game How to play screen provides details. Agree on the variant before your first round together.
How to play: rules
- Two decks and two jokers. Four players in two teams (partners opposite), or two alone. 18 cards each; the starter has 19 and opens by throwing one. Play goes counterclockwise.
- Each turn draw from the stock or take the card on the table, lay down sets if you like, and end by throwing a card.
- Sets: 3 or more cards in a run of one suit, or 3s or Aces of different suits. The jokers and the 2s ("banakil") stand in for any card, at most one joker and one 2 a set. Put your real card in for a joker on your team’s sets and take the joker; for a 2, your card takes its place and the 2 moves to the end of the run.
- After your first sets you can add cards to your team’s sets, never to the other team’s.
- When someone goes out the round ends: each team scores its cards on the table minus the cards left in its hands (3–6 half a point, 7–K and Ace 1, a 2 is 2, a joker 4); the team that went out adds 20. Going out in one go: 51 if the other team has laid down sets, 102 if it hasn’t, and the other team gets nothing.
- First team to 222 wins (150 for two players).
Scoring and winning
Two decks and two jokers. Four players in two teams (partners opposite), or two alone. 18 cards each; the starter has 19 and opens by throwing one. Play goes counterclockwise.
Each turn draw from the stock or take the card on the table, lay down sets if you like, and end by throwing a card.
When someone goes out the round ends: each team scores its cards on the table minus the cards left in its hands (3–6 half a point, 7–K and Ace 1, a 2 is 2, a joker 4); the team that went out adds 20. Going out in one go: 51 if the other team has laid down sets, 102 if it hasn’t, and the other team gets nothing.
First team to 222 wins (150 for two players).
Tips and strategy
Build realistic melds without exceeding the limit for jokers and wild Twos. In partnerships, watch your team’s melds because adding to opponents is not allowed. Before discarding, consider the value left in your hand if an opponent finishes. A useful wild card can also be a costly liability. Distinguish an ordinary finish from going out at once, and use the correct target for two players rather than the four-player target.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I play Banakil online with a mic?
On JAWNA (jawna.app). Every Banakil table has a mic and voice chat, so you talk to the players while you play.
Where can I play Banakil with new people?
On JAWNA pick Banakil and tap Quick match to get players fast, or make a private table for your friends.
Do I need to download an app to play Banakil?
No. Open jawna.app in the browser on your phone or computer and play right away. There is also a JAWNA phone app if you like.
Guide: where to play Banakil online with a mic
Is there a free app for Banakil?
You can start on JAWNA and play in a browser for free. Optional in-app extras are available; review any purchase option before choosing it. The download page lists current mobile installation options.
How many people can play Banakil on JAWNA?
The available player counts are 2 or 4 players. Pick the format that fits your group before starting; a game with multiple supported sizes does not necessarily support every number between them.
How do you win at Banakil?
First team to 222 wins (150 for two players).
How do I invite friends to Banakil?
Create a private table from the game and share its link with friends. Check that everyone has chosen the same game and the seats suit your group before starting, particularly when a partner is involved.
Do I have to use my microphone?
Table voice chat is available when you allow microphone access. Check your microphone and mute state before talking, and respect the other players’ privacy and the community rules.
Are the Banakil rules the same as our house rules?
Some details or variants may differ. Read the summary and the in-game How to play screen together, then agree on the variant. The rules of the selected mode determine the round.
Can a beginner learn Banakil on JAWNA?
Start with the instructions and play with friends who know the game. Understand the goal and scoring before concentrating on advanced moves or speed.
Where can I find other games for my group?
Open JAWNA’s games directory and choose by player count and game idea. There are card games, board games and puzzles, so you can switch according to your time, group size and preferred challenge.
Can I read Banakil rules and scoring before signing in?
Yes. This public guide covers the implemented rules and the result, and its rules, scoring and strategy sections are accessible without an account.
Start a session with friends
Use Play now, sign in, then choose a private table and share its link, or select Quick match where available.
Related games
How to play – step by step
- Draw or take the top card – Partners sit opposite. On your turn draw from the stock or take the top card on the table, lay down sets if you like, then throw one card.
- Runs, 3s and Aces – Sets are runs of one suit, or groups of 3s or Aces. Jokers and 2s are wild. There is no minimum to lay down.
- Grab the joker – Add only to your own team’s sets. Put the real card in place of a joker on your team’s set and the joker is yours.
- Score – When a player goes out, each team scores its sets on the table minus the cards left in hand. Going out adds 20. First team to 222 wins.
History & origins
Banakil is a double-deck rummy game documented in Lebanon. Twos and jokers serve as wild cards.
Its large hands and long melds place it alongside the region’s other social rummy games, while its scoring gives it a distinct character.
Published rules record how people play it, rather than identify a single inventor. Opening requirements and local variations should be distinguished from that background.