How to Play Tichu Online

Tichu is a trick-taking game played with a 56-card deck, based on the climbing game family. It combines elements of Poker and Big Two, and rewards strategy, communication, and risk-taking.

Tichu is strictly a four-player game, played in two teams of two partners sitting opposite each other.

• 52 standard cards (2 to Ace in four suits)
• 4 special cards: Mahjong, Dog, Phoenix, and Dragon

1. Each player is dealt 8 cards.
2. At this point, players may declare Grand Tichu.
3. The remaining 6 cards are then dealt to each player (14 total).
4. Each player passes one card to their left, one to their right, and one to their opponent across the table.

If a player chooses to play the Mahjong, they can request a specific rank. The next time any player can legally play a card of that rank, they must do so.

Subsequent players with a card of the wished rank must fulfill the wish by playing that card in a valid combination.

If subsequent players have the wished card rank, but can not play it at in a valid combination, they are not forced to play it.

The goal is to play higher combinations than the previous player. Legal plays include:

• Single cards: A single card can be played. The next player must play a higher card.
• Pairs: Two cards of the same rank. Example: J-J (Jack pair).
• Triples (Three-of-a-Kind): Three cards of the same rank. Example: 9-9-9.
• Full House: A three-of-a-kind with an extra pair. Example: Q-Q-Q-7-7.
• Straights (minimum of 5 consecutive cards): A sequence of five or more consecutive cards. Example: 4-5-6-7-8.
• Bombs (four-of-a-kind or straight flush)

• Mahjong: The Mahjong is the lowest-ranked card in the deck. It has a value of 1. The player who holds it must start the first trick of the game but is not required to play the Mahjong itself. The Mahjong can only be played as either a single card (with the lowest value in the game) or as part of a straight (1-2-3-4-5 or 1-2-3-4-5+)
• Dog: Can only be played as a lead card in a trick. Passes the lead to your partner.
• Phoenix: A wild card that completes combinations. As a single card, it counts as 0.5 higher than the last card played. Costs -25 points.
• Dragon: Highest single card. If you win a trick with it, you must give the trick to an opponent. The Dragon cannot be part of any combinations. Worth +25 points.

• Grand Tichu: Announced immediately after receiving the first 8 cards (before getting the other 6).
• Tichu: Can be announced anytime before playing your first card.

Success grants +100 points (Tichu) or +200 points (Grand Tichu). Failure deducts the same.

A trick ends when three players pass. The last player to play takes the trick and leads the next. When a player goes out, they stop playing. The game ends when three players go out.

A bomb is a special combination that can beat any combination (except a higher bomb). Bombs can be played out of turn.

• Four-of-a-kind (e.g., 7-7-7-7)
• Straight flush (e.g., 5-6-7-8-9 of the same suit)

Bombs can not be used to take the lead before a lead card is played. Bombs can not be played when the Dog card is played. Bombs can be played as a lead combination.

Players are allowed to bomb their own combination. When a bomb is played as a valid response, subsequent valid responses must be stronger than the last played bomb.

The Phoenix, Dragon, Dog and Mahjong cards can not be used in a bomb or with a bomb.

• Each 5: 5 points
• Each 10 and King: 10 points
• Phoenix: -25 points (to whoever wins it)
• Dragon: +25 points (must give it to an opponent)
• Winning First Place: 200 points
• Winning Tichu Declaration: +100 points
• Winning Grand Tichu: +200 points

Points are counted at the end of each round. The first team to reach 1000 points wins.

Tichu offers a rich mix of tactics, psychology, and risk-reward decisions. By mastering the flow of the game, using the special cards wisely, and timing your Tichu announcements, you’ll increase your chances of leading your team to victory.