I've played this game for years, so it's about time I review it.

The Great Dalmuti is a very simple card game for a minimum of 4 players, but it can handle up to 7. The deck consists of cards numbered 1 to 12 (the 'value') and there are as many cards as the number printed on them (so there's one 1, two 2's, three 3's, all the way up to twelve 12's.) and a couple of jokers. At the start of the game all the cards are dealt to all players. Then the player who leads lays a set of any value cards they wish (for example 4 twelves) the following player then lays an equal number of cards of a lower value (eg 4 elevens) it has to be a lower value, not equal. Players may choose to pass if they wish. The round continues until every player passes and whoever laid the last set of cards takes the lead. Jokers are have a value equal to cards they are played with, or 13 if played by themselves. As soon as one player has run out of cards the become the 'Great Dalmuti' the next player becomes the 'Lower Dalmuti'. The penultimate player to go out in the round becomes the 'Lower Peasant' and the player left with cards at the end is the 'Greater Peasant'. Anyone in between becomes a Merchant.
The cards are then dealt out again, however the Greater Peasant must hand to the Great Dalmuti the two lowest value cards from their hand, in return the Dalmuti must give the Peasant any two cards they wish. The Lowers do the same, but with one card. Merchants may swap any number of cards they wish, as long as its the same amount. Then the seating is rearranged with the lower Dalmuti sitting to the left of the Greater and the Greater peasant sitting last with the Lower peasant on his right. As you can tell, this is totally unfair, and therein lies the game.
You can play as many rounds as you like. This is normally dictated by the Greater Peasant getting fed up!

An awesomely simple and fun game, not to be taken seriously. Can be made more stupid with the introduction of silly hats and much ribbing of the Greater Peasant. I pretty much always want to play this game.