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Chinese Card Games

This simple introduction will get you to grips with the rich history of Chinese card games.

Home » Card Game Rules » World of Card Games » Chinese Card Games
  • Da Lao Er
  • Gou Ji
  • Gong Zhu
  • Chinese Blackjack
  • Dou Di Zhu
  • Chinese Poker
  • Sheng Ji

What are Chinese Card Games?

Chinese card games are a popular pastime among the general public, either as a medium for conversation or for gambling. Playing cards are believed to have originated from China, dating as far back as the 13th century. Classic China card games used special cards based on the local currency at the time, though a more modern take uses the 52 poker cards.

What is the History of Chinese Card Games?

Chinese playing cards, or 纸牌, were one of the first iterations of card games, and some scholars attribute modern elements such as suits and tricks to have originated from China card games’ history. Earliest cards were made using wood or bone, and were played during alcoholic drinking sessions. These card games were simple, with simple rules stating that whoever drew a marked card would lose.

Developments then resulted in the money-suited cards, which were based on the local currency at the time, and these 38-card decks were used in trick games similar to modern Rummy. Other card variations include the cards with Chinese characters and those with famous protagonists from classic Chinese literature.

Due to the simplicity of the rules, Chinese card games have been adapted to the modern 52-card poker deck. Further modifications make modern Chinese card games like DaLaoEr understandable and enjoyable across the globe, since it incorporates more western fundamentals such as straights and Full Houses. Naturally, Chinese card games now use cards made from more modern materials, such as synthetic plastic.

List of most popular Chinese Card Games

Da Lao Er 大老二

One of the most popular Chinese card games, this 2-4 player game is played both casually and competitively in gambling settings. A unique aspect of this game is that 2 is the largest card of the game. The goal of the game is to play cards from the hand via combinations, such as Pairs, Triples, Flushes or Straights. Other players can counter with the same combination but of a higher value. A player wins once they clear their hand.

Gou Ji 够级

Popular in China, Gou Ji is a 6-player game played with 4 packs of cards. The game is about clearing you hand, earning points for your team. Seating alternates between players from the 2 teams, and cards are played using combinations, having similarities to the Full House set from the west. Others answer with larger values. The aim is to get “Gou Ji”, where one beats their rivals with a large enough value.

Gong Zhu 拱猪

The Chinese version of the classic Hearts game. The goal of the game is to get as close to 1000 points without exceeding it. Points are awarded or deducted from cards, and each have a specific point value. Unlike hearts, the card-passing step is skipped in Gong Zhu. The rounds last 15 minutes, and end when all but one player has lost.

Chinese Blackjack

The Chinese variation of Blackjack is popular in South East Asia. Unlike Casino Blackjack, Chinese Blackjack the dealer plays a more active role, being able to selectively reveal cards from each player’s hand. House rules are commonly implemented, such as the minimum threshold. The goal remains the same however, getting to 21 points without going over.

Dou Di Zhu 斗地主

A popular 3-player game in China, having similarities to DaLaoEr. Players are dealt 17 cards each and the last 3 cards are placed aside. The players then play cards in combinations to earn the win. Unlike DaLaoEr, non-poker combinations are used, and it can be handy to have a list at your side. Jokers are not wild cards in this game, but rather specific winning conditions, letting a combination win against everything else.

Chinese Poker

Chinese Poker is a Chinese card game with major differences to western Poker. Each of the 4 players gets 13-cards in hand, and have to divide them into three poker hands of 3, 5, and 5 cards respectively. Points are then awarded based on the specific combinations. Despite the layer of luck, some find the added ability of control to be a huge draw.

Sheng Ji 升級

Literally translating to “upgrade”, ShengJi is a point-based trick card game in China. The goal of this 4-player game is to win as a team by scoring. The teams include the defenders and the attackers. Players play card combinations such as pairs, 2-pairs, full houses and straights. Scores are awarded based on the scores taken per round. Once a team reaches a point threshold, they win.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to play Chinese Card Games?

All you need to play Chinese Card Games are a 52-card deck and a pair of dice. Most games can even be played without the dice, since dealer determination can be done using splits.

How many types of Chinese Card Games are there?

New card games are constantly being invented, and some manage to gain traction amongst the public. However, the classics as discussed in the above section are still immensely popular.

Are suits important in Chinese Card Games?

Suits tend to be treated similarly as in western countries, following the order of Diamonds, Clubs, Hearts, Spades. In some games, suits are unimportant, a remainder from the classic days.

What is the most popular Chinese Card Game?

Arguably, the most popular Chinese card game is DaLaoEr, being played in nearly every country in Asia in some way or form.

Are Jokers important in Chinese Card Games?

Most Chinese 52-card decks have Jokers split into two colours, and this holds significance in certain games. In certain variations of Chinese Card Games, Jokers are an immediate win.

🕑 Last Updated on January 25, 2023

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About Paul Dunlop

Paul, a self-proclaimed tabletop games expert, has been playing classics like Bridge and Mahjong competitively for over 25 years. Holding a degree in mathematics, he also loves to solve numeric puzzles regularly.

About us

CoolOldGames.com is a collection of guides covering rules and strategies for traditional games. All of the guides are written by Paul Dunlop, a self-proclaimed tabletop games expert. Paul holds a mathematics degree and is a life-long player of classic games. Cool Old Games considers every game up to the early 2000s as a ‘classic.’

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