Shagun Ka Lifafa: Shaadi Season Kitty Party Game Rules

What do you need to play Shagun Ka Lifafa?

• Paper play notes for every lady: 2 of 500, 3 of 100, 2 of 50, 2 of 20 and 2 of 10 (cut paper and write the amount, or use notes from a board game)
• One envelope (lifafa) per lady; any old shagun envelope or a folded paper works
• Three Re 1 coins per lady (or buttons marked 1)
• A bowl of 10 chits, each with a relation and a round amount, for example "Bua ki beti, 1100" or "Padosi ka beta, 500"
• A small prize for the Shagun Queen

How to play Shagun Ka Lifafa, step by step

1. Give every lady her set of play notes, three Re 1 coins and one envelope. She keeps the notes in separate piles by value.
2. The host pulls a chit from the bowl and reads the relation and the round amount out loud, for example "Bua ki beti, 1100!".
3. Every lady quickly counts notes for that amount and adds one Re 1 coin, because a shagun always ends in 1. For 1100 the envelope must hold 1101.
4. She tucks the flap in and holds the closed envelope up in the air. The host notes the first three ladies in order.
5. The host opens the first envelope and counts. If it holds the exact amount plus the Re 1 coin, that lady gets 1 point. If the coin is missing, the host shouts "Kanjoos!" and she loses 1 point, and the host checks the next envelope.
6. Everyone takes her notes and coin back and the host reads the next chit. After 8 to 10 rounds, the lady with the most points wins.

Rules: how do you win?

• An envelope without the Re 1 coin is "kanjoos" and costs 1 point.
• A wrong amount gets no point, and the host checks the next raised envelope.
• The envelope must be closed when it is raised; an open envelope does not count.
• Only play notes are used, never real money.
• The lady with the most points after all rounds is the Shagun Queen.

Fun twists to make it crazier

• Saasu maa round: when the chit says saas or sasural, the amount is doubled, so 500 becomes 1001.
• Mute round: the host shows the amount only with her fingers, no words.
• Double shaadi: the host reads two chits at once and each lady fills two envelopes.

Tips for the host

• Write the chit amounts so they can be made from the notes each lady has (keep them at 1300 or less, and saas chits at 600 or less so the doubled amount still fits).
• Ask everyone to keep notes in piles by value before the first round; it makes counting faster and funnier.
• Collect notes back after every round so nobody runs short.
• Read the chits in a dramatic wedding-planner voice for extra laughs.

Frequently asked questions