What We Are Playing Today: Lakhma - Arabic card game

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Updated 07 July 2022
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What We Are Playing Today: Lakhma - Arabic card game

  • Cards that have shapes on them are answered according to the name of the shape (moon, sun, and star)

Lakhma is an Arabic card game for two to 10 players that aims to cause maximum confusion.

It consists of 120 cards, each displaying different rules, and players choose to be dealt between four and eight cards that are distributed evenly and placed facedown.

The game (Lakhma means confusing in Saudi slang) begins with the first player throwing a card into the middle of the playing area and answering the question on it within three seconds. If the player is late answering or makes a mistake, they must take all the cards in the middle.

If a card names a color, the answer to the question will be related to the color of the text. If the text is in black, the answer will be linked to the background color. The same rule applies when the word Lakhma appears.

Cards that have shapes on them are answered according to the name of the shape (moon, sun, and star).

When the hand icon appears, players quickly place their hands on top of the cards in the middle. The last player to place their hand is the loser and takes all the cards.

Cards containing the word Elqot (catch) require the player to throw it and quickly point to another player while saying the word. Again, the chosen player must collect all the cards in the middle. The first player to get rid of all their cards wins.

Lakhma is available throughout Saudi Arabia at Virgin Megastrore, Jarir Bookstore, and online platforms.


Iraqi director nominated at Directors Guild of America Awards for ‘The President’s Cake’

Updated 10 January 2026
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Iraqi director nominated at Directors Guild of America Awards for ‘The President’s Cake’

DUBAI: Iraqi director Hasan Hadi this week received a Directors Guild of America Awards nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in First-Time Theatrical Feature Film for his debut, “The President’s Cake.”

Set in 1990s Iraq, the film follows Lamia, a young girl tasked with preparing a birthday cake for the country’s leader — a mandatory assignment that places her under intense pressure. As she races to gather the ingredients, the stakes grow higher, with the threat of serious consequences if she fails.

Hadi’s film is shortlisted in the category alongside Eva Victor for “Sorry, Baby,” Alex Russell for “Lurker,” Charlie Polinger for “The Plague,” and Harry Lighton for “Pillion.”

Also in the running for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Theatrical Feature Film are Guillermo del Toro for “Frankenstein,” Chloe Zhao for “Hamnet,” Ryan Coogler for “Sinners,”Josh Safdie for “Marty Supreme,” and Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another.”

“The President’s Cake” has also been shortlisted for the Academy Award for International Feature Film.