PINKO! is a fast and funny Lithuanian card game about cold beetroot soup, where players collect ingredients, outsmart each other with action cards, and try to be the first to shout PINKO! The game is easy to learn, takes about 10–20 minutes to play, and is suitable for 2–8 players aged 6 and up.

Download the PINKO! rules

Lithuanian card game about cold beetroot soup

Who is the true master of šaltibarščiai?

The one with the best ingredients — or the one who knows exactly when to steal their neighbour’s beetroot?

PINKO! is a fast and funny card game inspired by šaltibarščiai — Lithuania’s iconic cold beetroot soup. Players race to collect a winning combination of ingredients and be the first to shout PINKO!

You can learn the game in just a few minutes, and one game takes about 10–20 minutes. It is suitable for 2–8 players aged 6 and up, making PINKO! a great choice for families, children, friends, summer parties, or as an original Lithuanian gift.

How do you play?

On each turn, you must take one ingredient card — either from the table or from the deck. You may also discard an ingredient you no longer need or use an action card.

And that is where the real game begins. The longer you keep cards in your hand, the greater the chance that your neighbour will steal the exact ingredient you needed most. Or maybe you will get stuck with a fly or a cat, ruining even the best recipe.

Use an action card too early, and you may gain nothing. Use it too late, and you may be left empty-handed. That is why PINKO! is not just a simple set-collection card game: timing matters. You must decide when to take risks, when to wait, and when it is finally time to shout PINKO!

When a player has a winning combination in their hand, they shout PINKO! Each other player then takes one final turn, and the points are counted. The game is played over several rounds, and the player with the most points wins.

How do you win?

There are two ways to victory:

🥣 The Perfect Recipe – collect 7 different ingredients and score 7 points. Riskier, but more rewarding.

🥣 Student Šaltibarščiai – collect kefir, beetroot, cucumber, and potato. Faster and simpler, but worth 4 points.

But watch out:

🪰 Fly in your hand – minus 1 point from your round score.

🐱 Cat in your hand – the cat ate everything, so you score no points.

Sometimes it is better to get rid of problems in time than to wait for the perfect recipe.

Why is PINKO! a great gift?

Šaltibarščiai is not just a soup. It is summer, countryside terraces, and that unforgettable pink colour that Lithuanians love with all their hearts.

PINKO! turns this symbol of Lithuanian culture into a game that is easy to understand, fun to play, and worth sharing with others. This Lithuanian card game about cold beetroot soup is an original gift for children, families, friends, colleagues, or guests from abroad.

The game is perfect for:

🎁 an original and unexpected Lithuanian gift;
👨‍👩‍👧 family game nights;
☀️ summer parties, countryside weekends, and gatherings with friends;
🌍 an authentic Lithuanian souvenir for foreign guests;
🃏 anyone looking for a fast, simple, and funny card game.

What is inside the box?

Inside the box, you will find PINKO! cards and game rules in Lithuanian and English. The cards are divided into ingredient cards and action cards, so the game is not only about collecting the right products for šaltibarščiai, but also about using clever actions at the right moment.

About the PINKO! illustrations

All PINKO! illustrations are hand-drawn — with no artificial intelligence and no ready-made templates. The cards are full of humour, character, and the warm feeling of a Lithuanian summer.

The rules are included in Lithuanian and English.

Game details

Players: 2–8
Age: 6+
Playing time: 10–20 min.
Language: LT, EN
Type: fast card game for families, friends, and parties

Frequently asked questions

What age is PINKO! suitable for?
PINKO! is recommended for players aged 6 and up.

How many people can play?
The game is designed for 2–8 players.

How long does one game take?
One game takes about 10–20 minutes.

Is the game easy to learn?
Yes. The rules are simple, so the game can be learned in just a few minutes.

Is PINKO! suitable as a gift?
Yes. It is an original Lithuanian gift for families, children, friends, or guests from abroad.

Do you need experience with board games?
No. PINKO! is designed so that both children and adults can understand it quickly.

What is PINKO! about?
PINKO! is a Lithuanian card game about cold beetroot soup, inspired by šaltibarščiai — one of Lithuania’s most iconic summer dishes.

In which languages are the rules included?
The rules are included in Lithuanian and English.