Welcome to Chinese Ten!

Hey there! Chinese Ten is an exciting fishing card game that’s perfect for 2 to 4 players. The number of players will change the cards you’ll have in your hand, the cards you’ll score, and even the number of points needed to win. Are you ready to dive into the game? Let’s go!

Getting Set Up

Before we jump into the action, we need to set up the game. If there are two players, the dealer will shuffle the deck and deal each player 12 cards. For three players, it’s eight cards each. And if you have four players, everyone gets six cards.

Once we’ve got our hands, the dealer will take the rest of the deck and put it in the center of the playing area. Then, they’ll flip over four cards from the top of the deck and place them face up. And that’s it – we’re ready to begin!

Card Rankings

Rankings of cards are not important in this game. However, if you are unfamiliar with the deck, it’s helpful to familiarize yourself with the numbers and face cards.

In this game, Aces are worth 1 point. The other number cards are valued from 2 to 10, but 10s have special rules that make them more similar to face cards. We’ll explain this further in the gameplay section below. Face cards in this game are the jacks, queens, and kings.

GAMEPLAY

When the game starts, the first thing I do is look at the layout. There are two special circumstances that can change how the game is played. If the layout has three of the following cards: King, Queen, Jack, 10, or 5s, then when the 4th card of that type is played, it scores all the matching cards. On the other hand, if the layout has four of the same kind, the dealer automatically scores all four of those cards.

If neither of these situations happens, then we can start playing the game in the traditional way. Anyone can start, as long as we establish a turn order. On my turn, I will do two things. First, I will play a card from my hand and capture a card if I can. Second, I will flip the top card of the remaining deck and capture another card if I can.

When I play a card from my hand, I need to see if there are any cards in the layout that I can capture. If I find a card that, when combined with mine, adds up to 10, I can capture it. But if I’m playing a 10 or a face card, I’m aiming to find a card of the same rank. Sadly, I can only capture one card at a time, even if there are multiple choices available. If I manage to capture a card, both the captured card and the one I played go into a pile next to me, facing down. However, if my played card doesn’t capture anything, it remains in the layout, waiting to be captured later.

After I’ve played a card from my hand, I’ll flip the top card of the deck that’s still remaining. The same rules apply – I check if I can capture a card, and if not, it stays in the layout.

This way of playing continues until all the cards have been captured.

Scoring

When all the cards have been captured, you and your fellow players can calculate your scores based on the cards in your capture piles. Scoring varies depending on the number of players participating in the game. Let me break it down for you:

In a two-player game, only the red cards are worth points. In a three-player game, both the red cards and the ace of spades hold value. Finally, in a four-player game, the red cards, ace of spades, and ace of clubs contribute to your overall score.

Here’s how the scoring works for the different cards:

• Red cards numbered 2 through 8 are worth the same number of points as their face value.
• For the 9s through Kings, they are all worth 10 points.
• The red Aces are particularly valuable and are worth 20 points each.
• If you have the Ace of spades, that card alone gives you 30 points.
• Lastly, the Ace of clubs is worth a whopping 40 points.

Once you and your fellow players have tallied up your scores, it’s time to see who has come out on top. Check your score against the winning threshold based on the number of players:

• A score of 105 or higher guarantees victory in a two-player game.
• For a three-player game, the winning threshold is set at 80 points.
• In a four-player game, you must reach at least 70 points to claim the win.

GAME OVER!

When the game comes to an end, the ultimate goal is to emerge as the winner. You can achieve this by securing the highest score. Alternatively, if you’re playing a series of games, you can tally up the wins to determine the overall champion.

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat are two sides of the same coin in the world of games. As I reflect on the experience, it’s fascinating to witness how games can evoke such a range of emotions. Whether you’re feeling the exhilaration of victory or the sting of defeat, the journey through the game is what truly matters.

Interpreting the outcome of a game is not always straightforward. It’s not just about who reached the finish line first or who accumulated the most points. There are layers of strategy, skill, and luck that contribute to the final result. It’s a delicate dance between planning and adaptability, between calculation and intuition.

If you’re aiming for triumph, it’s crucial to understand that winning is not solely determined by the final score. It encompasses the moments of triumph along the way, the clever maneuvers and daring decisions that set you apart. It’s about making the most of the resources at hand, seizing opportunities, and overcoming obstacles.

So, my friend, if you’re yearning for victory in the game of life, remember that it’s more than just a numbers game. It’s about pushing yourself, embracing challenges, and constantly learning and growing. It’s about finding joy in the journey, cherishing the triumphs, and graciously accepting the setbacks.

By following your passion, honing your skills, and staying resilient in the face of adversity, you can pave the way to triumph. Each defeat becomes an opportunity for growth, and each victory propels you further along your path.

In the end, it’s not just about winning the game, but rather about becoming the best version of yourself along the way. So, my friend, embrace the challenge, savor the journey, and let the game of life lead you to greatness!