Tongits Plus is a thrilling card game that originated in the Philippines. Players aim to form sets or runs of cards and reduce their points by strategically discarding and picking up cards. Challenge friends in multiplayer mode or play against AI opponents for a fun and addictive experience.
Tongits Plus – Card Game
Tongits Plus is a popular card game in the Philippines that is now available for people all around the world to enjoy. It is a game that requires strategy, skill, and a bit of luck. The game is played with a standard deck of 52 playing cards and can be played with two to four players. In this article, we will explore the rules and gameplay of Tongits Plus, as well as some tips to improve your chances of winning.
Objective
The objective of Tongits Plus is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards or to have the lowest possible hand value when the game ends. The game is played in rounds, and each round ends when one player “tongits” or gets rid of all their cards.
Gameplay
To start the game, each player is dealt 12 cards. The rest of the deck is placed face down in the center of the table, forming the draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is then turned face up to start the discard pile.
The player to the left of the dealer goes first. They have the option to either pick up the top card from the draw pile or take the entire discard pile. If they choose to take the discard pile, they must use the top card from the pile to make a meld, which is a set of three or four cards with the same rank and suit or a sequence of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
After making a meld, the player can then make additional melds using cards from their hand or the discard pile. The player must end their turn by discarding one card from their hand and placing it face up on the discard pile.
The gameplay continues clockwise, with each player having the option to either draw a card from the draw pile or take the discard pile. Players can also make melds during their turn and discard one card to end their turn.
Tongits
The term “tongits” refers to when a player has melded all their cards and has no cards left in their hand. When a player goes tongits, the other players get one more turn to try and improve their hand or go tongits themselves. At the end of the round, the players reveal their cards and calculate their hand values.
Hand Values
In Tongits Plus, the hand values are based on the face value of the cards, with the Ace being the lowest value (1) and the King being the highest value (13). The objective is to have the lowest possible hand value at the end of the round.
A standard hand consists of four cards. Melds such as a set of three or four cards of the same rank have a value of zero. A meld with a sequence of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit has a value equal to the sum of the cards in the sequence minus 10. For example, a sequence of 3, 4, and 5 of hearts would have a value of 12 (3 + 4 + 5 – 10).
If a player has additional cards in their hand that are not part of a meld, those cards count towards their hand value. Each card is valued at its face value. The penalty for having cards left in hand at the end of the round is equal to the sum of the face values of the remaining cards.
Strategies
Here are a few strategies to keep in mind when playing Tongits Plus:
- Focus on making melds: Try to make as many melds as possible during your turn, as this will reduce your overall hand value.
- Be mindful of the discard pile: Keep an eye on the cards being discarded by other players, as they may be useful for your own melds. Avoid discarding cards that could potentially help your opponents.
- Consider the value of the cards in your hand: When deciding whether to meld or hold onto certain cards, consider their face values and potential impact on your hand value.
- Pay attention to your opponents’ moves: Look for patterns or strategies in your opponents’ gameplay. This can give you insights on their hand values and help you make more informed decisions.
- Use your jokers wisely: Tongits Plus includes joker cards that can be used to represent any card. Strategically use your jokers to complete melds and reduce your hand value.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you play Tongits Plus, the more familiar you will become with different strategies and card combinations.
