Remove any jokers from the deck before you start the game. In Tien Len, the 2 of hearts will always outrank the 2 of any other suit. The numerical value always comes before the suit value, so an 8 of spades will always be higher than a 7 of hearts. The suit value is only used to determine the highest card if the same numerical-value cards are played. For example, if two 7s are played, the 7 with the highest suit value trumps the other 7.
The legal combinations are the types of groupings of cards that you’re allowed to play during any given hand.
You could also decide who deals in many other ways. The person who either lost or won the previous game could be the dealer, it could be the person who has a birthday coming up next, or the person who has the smallest shoe size.
Solo: 1 card. For example, you could simply play the 3 of spades on its own. In other subsequent hands, you can play a solo card of any value. Doubles: 2 cards of the same value, like 2 3s. Triples: 3 cards of the same value, like 3 3s. Quads: 4 cards of the same value, like 4 3s. Runs: this is also called a straight; it consists of 3 or more cards that run in sequence. These cards don’t have to match suit. Runs cannot contain 2s. For example, you could play the 3 of spades, 4 of hearts, and 5 of spades. Double runs: 2 sets of 3 or more cards that have the same straight-number sequence. The cards don’t have to match in suit and the runs cannot contain 2s. For example, 3 of spades, 3 of hearts, 4 of clubs, 4 of spades, 5 of hearts, and 5 of diamonds would be a double run.
In another example, let’s say there is a 4-card run of a 5, 6, 7, and 8. You can beat this run by laying down another 4-card run as long as the highest number will be greater than the 8 that was laid down, either in numerical value or in suit value.
Once you pass, you cannot resume playing until a new combination has been laid down by someone else.
You won’t actually use those cards from the discard pile again during the game.
A quad combination used to beat deuces is generally called a “bomb. ” A sequence used to beat deuces is usually called a “chop. ”
Whatever is used to beat the solo 2 is the new combination that the next player will need to trump. For example, if a solo 2 is beaten by 4 5s, the next player will need to play a quad combination with a card value that is higher than 5.
Remember, the suits do not have to match when you play runs. A 4-card double run can also beat any quad combination or 3-card double run.
There is no way to beat 4 2s. Having 4 2s automatically wins the game for the player they belong to.
The quad combination will then be what the next player has to beat on their turn to keep the hand going.
Part of the fun of Tien Len is that no scoring is required, so literally all you need to play the game is a deck of cards and some friends. In some variations of the game, the winner of a hand of Tien Len will lead the next game, rather than the person who has the 3 of spades.
4 deuces 6 sets of doubles Dragon series, meaning you have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, ace, 2. The suits don’t have to match. 13 red or black cards.
For example, if the agreed-upon bet is $25, at the end of the game the loser will pay each individual player $25, for a total of $75 lost. You could get creative with the betting and do something like the loser has to buy everyone a round of drinks or has to pay for pizza to be delivered. Make it fun and feel free to think outside the box! In some variations, the 3rd and 4th place players have to give their 2 highest-ranking cards to the 1st and 2nd place players in the next game.
