How to Play Competitive Karuta

This page walks you through a typical match from setup to the end. For exact rules and penalties, see the Rules page.

Step 1: Setup

Two players sit facing each other with a gap for the card field.
The full set has 100 playing cards. They are shuffled face down, then each player picks 25 without looking. Only these 50 cards are used in the match: each player arranges their 25 in three rows on their side (their territory). The other 50 are not in play (Kara-fuda).
A reciter sits at the side with the 100 reading cards, in the prescribed order.
Players have 15 minutes of memorization time to look at the layout before the match.

Step 2: The Reader Reads

The reader picks up the next reading card and reads the poem. Usually only the upper phrase (上の句) is read—or enough of it that the poem is uniquely determined. In some cases the lower phrase is read. Players must identify the poem from the sound and the wording.

Step 3: Touching the Card

As soon as you know which poem is being read, you try to be the first to touch the correct playing card. The card can be in your territory or your opponent’s. The first correct touch wins that card: it is removed from the field (or transferred to your side, depending on rules). Speed and accuracy matter; touching the wrong card or touching in the wrong order causes a fault and gives the opponent an advantage.

Step 4: Faults and Penalties

If you touch the wrong card, or touch a card in the wrong order (e.g. opponent’s card when yours was also on the field), you commit a fault. The opponent may be allowed to take a card from your territory or remove one of your cards. Avoiding faults is as important as being fast.

Step 5: Winning the Match

The match continues until one player’s territory has no cards left. The first to reach 0 cards in their territory wins — that is the only way to win. There is no time limit.

Tips for Beginners

Memorize the 100 poems and their first syllables so you can react as soon as the reader starts.
Learn the layout during memorization time so you know where each card is.
Practice listening to readings (e.g. from videos or apps) to recognize poems by sound.
Stay calm: one fault can cost a card, so accuracy often beats raw speed.

Step 1: Setup

Two players sit facing each other with a gap for the card field.

The full set has 100 playing cards. They are shuffled face down, then each player picks 25 without looking. Only these 50 cards are used in the match: each player arranges their 25 in three rows on their side (their territory). The other 50 are not in play (Kara-fuda).

A reciter sits at the side with the 100 reading cards, in the prescribed order.

Players have 15 minutes of memorization time to look at the layout before the match.

Step 3: Touching the Card

Tips for Beginners

Memorize the 100 poems and their first syllables so you can react as soon as the reader starts.

Learn the layout during memorization time so you know where each card is.

Practice listening to readings (e.g. from videos or apps) to recognize poems by sound.

Stay calm: one fault can cost a card, so accuracy often beats raw speed.