Tichu Rules Overview
Understanding Tichu rules is your gateway to enjoying this remarkable card game. While the basics can be learned in minutes, the strategic depth will keep you engaged for years. This overview covers everything you need to start playing confidently.
Setup and Dealing
Tichu requires exactly 4 players forming two teams. Partners sit across from each other. One player shuffles the 56-card deck and places it face down. Players take turns drawing cards in counter-clockwise order, one at a time, until each player holds 14 cards. Unlike most card games, the dealer does not actually deal—players draw their own cards.
The Card Exchange
Before play begins, each player must pass exactly 3 cards: one to each other player (partner and both opponents). This exchange is crucial for strategy—you might strengthen your partner's hand, break up an opponent's sequences, or set up your own winning combinations. Cards are passed face down simultaneously, then revealed.
Playing Tricks
The player holding the Mah Jong leads the first trick. Players must play a higher combination of the same type or pass. When all players pass consecutively, the last player to play a combination wins the trick and leads the next one. The round continues until all but one player has emptied their hand.
Winning the Round
The round ends when three players have gone out (played all their cards). The order in which players finish is crucial: the first player out scores points for their team, and any remaining cards in the last player's hand go to the opposing team. A double victory (both partners going out first and second) awards 200 bonus points.
Track your Tichu games
Use the free Tichu Counter to record scores, Tichu calls, and double victories.
Tichu CounterRelated guides
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