How to Play Tichu: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Players and teams

Tichu is played by 4 players in 2 teams of 2. Partners sit opposite each other, so play always alternates between the two teams.

The deck has 56 cards: the usual 52 in four suits plus four special cards — the Mahjong, the Dog, the Phoenix and the Dragon.

2. Dealing and Grand Tichu

Each player first receives 8 cards. After looking at them, you can call Grand Tichu: a bet that you will be the first to empty your hand (+200 if you succeed, −200 if you fail).

Then the remaining 6 cards are dealt, so everyone holds 14.

3. The card exchange

Before play starts, every player passes one card face down to each of the other three players — one to each opponent and one to the partner.

Usually you give your partner a strong card and your opponents low or awkward cards.

4. Playing a round

The player holding the Mahjong leads first. You can play singles, pairs, consecutive pairs, three of a kind, full houses or straights of 5+ cards.

Each next player must play the same type of combination but higher, or pass. When everyone else passes, the last player takes the trick and leads again.

Bombs — four of a kind or a straight flush of 5+ cards — can be played at any time, even out of turn, and beat everything except a higher bomb.

5. Calling Tichu

Before playing your first card you can call Tichu: you bet that you will go out first. Success gives +100 to your team, failure −100.

6. Scoring

When three players are out, the round ends. The last player gives the cards in hand to the opponents and the tricks won to the first player out.

Fives are worth 5, tens and kings 10, the Dragon +25 and the Phoenix −25 — 100 points per round. If both partners go out 1st and 2nd, the team gets 200 and cards aren't counted.

The first team to reach 1,000 points wins the game.

Try it yourself

The fastest way to learn is to play. Try the interactive tutorial on TichuPro, then jump into a free game with friends.