Tichu Special Cards Guide
The four special cards in Tichu—Dragon, Phoenix, Mah Jong, and Dog—transform the game from a simple climbing card game into a strategic masterpiece. Each card has unique abilities that can turn the tide of any hand when used skillfully.
The Dragon
The Dragon is the highest individual card in Tichu, worth 25 points. It can only be played as a single card and beats everything except bombs. However, there's a catch: when you win a trick with the Dragon, you must give all cards in that trick to one of your opponents. This makes the Dragon a double-edged sword—powerful for going out first, but potentially giving points to enemies.
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is the most versatile special card, worth -25 points. As a single card, it plays as half a rank higher than the card it follows (but cannot beat the Dragon). Its true power lies in its ability to serve as a wild card in combinations—it can replace any normal card to complete straights, full houses, or other combinations. Use it wisely to complete crucial plays.
The Mah Jong
The Mah Jong (value 1) determines who leads the first trick—whoever holds it must start the round. When playing the Mah Jong, you may make a "wish" for any card rank (2-Ace). The next player who can legally play that rank must do so. This wish remains active until someone fulfills it, creating powerful tactical opportunities.
The Dog
The Dog has no rank and no point value. It can only be played to lead a trick, and it immediately transfers the lead to your partner. You cannot play the Dog if your partner has already gone out. The Dog is invaluable for supporting a partner who has called Tichu or holds a strong hand.
Track your Tichu games
Use the free Tichu Counter to record scores, Tichu calls, and double victories.
Tichu CounterRelated guides
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