Thirteen Cards - Tien Len

Thirteen Cards, also known as Tien Len, Southern Poker, is a card game popular in many parts of Asia. Thirteen Cards is a game intended and best for four players.

This app is an offline, internet connection and deposite are not needed, it help you practise skill with professional computer players.

INSTRUCTIONS

The objective in playing is to get rid of all the cards before your opponents do. While the game rule is simple, there are many twists and turns that make a unique and challenging game.

At the beginning of a new game, each player is given 13 cards. In first round, the player has a Spade 3 card will start the game. The winner of the previous game starts a round with any valid card set. All players then take turn to play a higher card set or "Pass" to skip the turn. Once a player Pass, he/she is forced to pass at subsequent turns in general. The round ends when 3 of the 4 players pass. The last player of the round then starts a new round with any valid card set. The game ends when one of the player runs out of cards.

1. Legal Card Sets and Values

A card set can be either of the following. Some card sets are considered special.

- Single: one card

- Pair: 2 cards of the same rank

- Triple: 3 cards of the same rank

- Quadruple: 4 cards of the same rank. Quadruple is a special card set.

- Series: 3 or more cards forming a consecutive sequence

- Double Series: 6 or more cards forming a consecutive sequence of pairs. Double Series is a special card set.

The ranks of the cards in increasing value are 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A 2. A card of higher rank is better than a card of lower rank. Among cards of the same rank, a card of higher suit is better. The suits of the cards in increasing value are Spade, Club, Diamond, Heart.

Card sets of the same type are compared using the highest cards in the sets. Only sets of the same type can be used to cut each others, with exception for special card sets.

2. Special Cutting Rules for Special Card Sets

The deuce (also called Pig) is a highest ranking card in the game. When playing single or double, certain special card sets can be used to beat the deuce set. Here are the list of all special cutting rules:

- Double series of 6 cards (3 consecutive pairs) can cut a single deuce.

- Quadruple can cut double series of 6 cards, single deuce, or pair of deuces.

- Double series of 8 cards can cut quadruple, double series of 6 cards, single deuce, or pair of deuces.

3. Auto Win

Certain hands are recognized as "auto win" hands. Games with these hands are not played. The owner of the special hand wins the game. Following are the special hands:

- Hand containing 6 pairs.

- Hand containing 4 deuces.

Objective:

To be the first player to get rid of all their cards.

Setup:

- Use a standard deck of 52 cards.

- 2-4 players can play.

- Shuffle the deck and deal 13 cards to each player.

Gameplay:

- The player to the left of the dealer starts the game.

- On your turn, you can play one or more cards that are higher in rank and of the same suit as the cards on the table, or you can start a new suit with a 2.

- Aces are the highest-ranking cards, followed by Kings, Queens, Jacks, and so on.

- If you cannot play any cards, you must draw a card from the deck.

- If you draw a card that you can play, you can play it immediately.

- The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.

Special Rules:

- Pairs: Two cards of the same rank can be played together as a pair.

- Triples: Three cards of the same rank can be played together as a triple.

- Quads: Four cards of the same rank can be played together as a quad.

- Straights: Five or more cards in a row, regardless of suit, can be played together as a straight.

- Flushes: Five or more cards of the same suit can be played together as a flush.

- Full Houses: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank can be played together as a full house.

- Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank can be played together as a four of a kind.

- Straight Flushes: Five or more cards in a row, all of the same suit, can be played together as a straight flush.

- Royal Flush: A straight flush from 10 to Ace can be played together as a royal flush.

Winning:

- The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game.

- If two or more players get rid of all their cards at the same time, the player who played the highest-ranking card wins.

Tips:

- Pay attention to the cards that have been played and try to guess what cards your opponents might have.

- Try to keep a variety of cards in your hand so that you can have options on your turn.

- Don't be afraid to draw a card if you can't play any cards.

- Try to play your high-ranking cards early in the game.

- If you have a good hand, try to force your opponents to play their high-ranking cards early.