In Chinese Ten, players try to capture cards that add up to ten. Learn how to play this game in simple steps.
Object of the Game
In Chinese Ten, players strive to capture cards from the center of the table, employing calculated moves to accumulate points. The game revolves around capturing cards whose values sum up to 10 and utilizing tactics to gather cards with high point values for a triumphant victory.
| Number of players | 2 to 4 |
| Game length | 30 minutes |
| Game difficulty | Medium |
| What you need to play | A standard deck of cards |
If you enjoy Chinese Ten, check out this list of the top games to play with a deck of cards.
Setting Up the Game
- Shuffle and Deal: Shuffle the entire deck of playing cards. Distribute half of the cards among the players according to the number of participants: 12 cards each for 2 players, 8 cards each for 3 players, and 6 cards each for 4 players.
- Face-up Cards: Place four cards face-up in the center of the table.
- Face-down Deck: The remaining cards are to be stacked face-down in the center of the table to form the draw deck.
Playing the Game
- Capturing Cards: Cards with values from 1 to 9 are captured by playing a card that, when added to the value of the target card, totals 10. For example, a 1 captures a 9, and a 7 captures a 3. Tens, Jacks, Queens, and Kings are captured by cards of the same rank.
- Player’s Turn: On a player’s turn, they must play one card from their hand. If possible, the played card should capture a card from the center of the table.
- Capturing Mechanism: Upon capturing a card, the player keeps both the played card and the captured card. Place them face-down in front of you. If the played card cannot capture a card, leave it face-up in the center of the table. Cards left in this manner can be captured by any player in subsequent turns.
- Draw Deck: After playing a card, the player flips over the top card of the draw deck. If this new card can capture a face-up card, the player takes both cards. If not, the new card is added to the face-up cards on the table.
- Continuation: Play proceeds in a clockwise direction to the next player. Continue capturing cards and playing from the draw deck.
- Game End: The game concludes when the last remaining card in the draw deck is able to capture the final face-up card. At this point, the game ends.
Scoring and Winning the Game
After the game ends, players score points based on the cards they’ve collected:
- Red cards (hearts and diamonds) ranked 2-9: Face value points
- Red cards ranked 9-King: 10 points each
- Red aces (1s): 20 points each
- If playing with 3 or 4 players, Ace of Spades: 30 points
- If playing with 4 players, Ace of Clubs: 40 points
The difference between each player’s score and the average score (105, 80, and 70 for two, three, and four players respectively) determines the winner.
Variations
- When the initial four face-down cards consist of the same rank, unique capturing rules apply.
- In the case of four identical face-down cards, the dealer may claim them or shuffle them back into the deck before revealing four new cards.