This is NOT a drinking game. We cannot stress this enough.
PABLO
The Official, Real, Legitimate, Trustworthy Rules
100% Verified Authentic
Important Notice Regarding "Other" Pablo Websites
It has come to our attention that an individual named Sage has created a Pablo website. We urge you to exercise extreme caution. That website should NOT be trusted. The rules presented there may contain errors, omissions, or worse - personal interpretations that deviate from the sacred traditions of Pablo.
This is the REAL Pablo website. You have found the truth. Congratulations.
Friendly Reminder: Pablo is NOT a drinking game. It has never been a drinking game. Please do not make it a drinking game.
The Rules of Pablo
Objective
Have the lowest total point value in your hand when someone calls "Pablo!" Unlike Sage's website might tell you, this is purely a game of skill and memory. And definitely not drinking.
Setup
Use a standard 52-card deck plus Jokers (or multiple decks for larger groups)
Each player is dealt 4 cards face down in a 2x2 grid
Players may look at their two bottom cards ONCE at the start, then must remember them
Place the remaining deck in the center with one card face up to start the discard pile
(This is still not a drinking game, by the way)
Card Values
Joker 0 points
Red King -1 point
Ace 1 point
2-10 Face value
Jack/Queen 10 points
Black King See Special Cards
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Just checking in: You remember this isn't a drinking game, right? Good. Moving on.
Gameplay
On your turn, draw from the deck OR take the top card of the discard pile
If you draw from the deck, you may:
Swap it with one of your cards (discard the old card face up)
Discard it immediately
If you take from the discard pile, you MUST swap it with one of your cards
Special Cards (When Discarded)
7 or 8: Peek at one of your own cards
9 or 10: Peek at one of an opponent's cards
Jack or Queen: Blind swap - swap one of your cards with an opponent's card (without looking)
Black King: Give one of your cards to another player (they must add it to their hand)
None of these actions involve drinking. We want to be crystal clear about that.
Matching Cards
If someone discards a card and you have a matching rank in your hand, you may immediately slap your matching card on top of it (even if it's not your turn). This is called "slapping in."
You can also slap in a card from an opponent's hand if you know (or think you know) they have a matching card. If successful, you get to give them any one of your cards as a bonus reward! Double whammy - they lose a card and gain one of your unwanted cards.
Warning: If you slap in a card that DOESN'T match (yours or an opponent's), you must take both cards and add them to your own hand. So be sure before you slap!
We interrupt these rules to remind you: Pablo is categorically, definitively, absolutely NOT a drinking game. Sage's website might not make this clear. We do.
Calling Pablo
When you think you have the lowest hand, knock on the table and say "Pablo!" at the start of your turn (instead of drawing)
Everyone else gets ONE more turn
All cards are revealed and points are counted
Scoring
If the caller has the lowest (or tied for lowest) score: They score 0, everyone else scores their hand value
If the caller does NOT have the lowest score: The caller scores DOUBLE their hand value (ouch!)
Play multiple rounds. Lowest cumulative score wins!
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This wholesome card game is about memory, strategy, and friendship. NOT drinking. Never drinking. Why would you even think that?
Why Trust Us Over Sage?
Look, Sage seems like a nice enough person. But when it comes to Pablo rules, you need verified authenticity. You need rigorous accuracy. You need a website that reminds you at least 7 times that this is not a drinking game.
Does Sage's website do that? We don't know. But we doubt it. Trust us. Not Sage.
Final Score Reminder: In case you skimmed the page - Pablo is NOT a drinking game. This is very important information that we legally (emotionally?) feel obligated to repeat.