Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Tichu is a partnership climbing card game that combines elements of trick-taking, rummy, and bridge. Players aim to be the first team to score 1000 points by playing strategic combinations of cards and fulfilling special objectives like calling “Tichu.” This page provides a clear breakdown of the rules, guiding you through the card combinations, special cards, scoring system, and partnership dynamics that define this complex and engaging game. With its focus on teamwork, strategic card play, and calculated risk-taking, Tichu offers a rich and rewarding experience for card game enthusiasts. Get ready to strategize, communicate with your partner, and climb your way to victory.

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How to Play Tichu

Tichu is a strategic, team-based trick-taking game that blends elements of poker, climbing games (like Big Two), and shedding games (like President). It is played with four players in two teams and requires a mix of skill, strategy, and teamwork to win.

Objective

The goal of Tichu is to be the first team to reach 1,000 points by playing all your cards as quickly as possible and capturing valuable scoring cards.

Setup

Number of Players:

4 players (two teams of two, sitting across from each other).

Deck Composition:

Tichu uses a standard 52-card deck plus 4 special cards, making a total of 56 cards:

Standard Cards: Ranked 2–10, J, Q, K, A in four suits.
Special Cards:
1. Dragon (strongest single card, worth +25 points, must pass to an opponent if won in a trick).
2. Phoenix (wild card, can be played as any card, but worth -25 points).
3. Dog (must be played first, passes lead to a teammate).
4. Mahjong (1) (smallest card, lets you wish for a card from opponents).

Dealing Cards:

Each player is dealt 14 cards.
Players then pass one card to each opponent and one to their partner (before play starts).

Gameplay

1. Calling “Tichu”

Before playing their first card, a player may call “Tichu,” betting 100 points that they will empty their hand first.
A “Grand Tichu” can be called before seeing all 14 cards, betting 200 points.

2. Playing Tricks

The player with the Mahjong (1) card starts the first trick.
Players take turns playing a valid combination or passing.
The next play must be of the same combination type but higher in rank.

3. Valid Plays

Players can play:

Single Card (one card, ranked 2–A, Dragon highest).
Pair (two cards of the same rank).
Triple (three of the same rank).
Full House (a triple + a pair).
Straight (Run) (at least five consecutive cards).
Bombs (special play that beats anything except a stronger bomb).

4. Bombs (Super Moves)

A bomb immediately wins the trick, even if it’s not the player’s turn.

Four-of-a-Kind (e.g., four Kings).
Straight Flush (a sequence of at least five cards in the same suit).

5. Winning a Trick

The highest play wins the trick.
The winner leads the next trick.
Players continue until one player empties their hand.

6. Scoring Points

At the end of the round:

Winning team earns points based on captured cards:
- Dragon = +25 points
- Phoenix = -25 points
- Each 5 = +5 points
- Each 10 and King = +10 points
The first player to go out earns 100 points for their team if they called Tichu.
If both players on a team go out before the opponents, they earn 200 points.

Winning the Game

The game continues until a team reaches 1,000 points. The team with the highest score wins!

Tichu is a game of teamwork, strategy, and risk-taking. Players must carefully manage their hands, coordinate with their partners, and time their Tichu calls wisely. With its mix of trick-taking, climbing mechanics, and powerful bomb plays, Tichu remains a favorite among card game enthusiasts!