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Tichu
Fata Morgana Spiele · 1991
3–1030–90 min10+ yrs2.3/5 complexity7.6 BGG#252 BGG28,1 K
⚡ short answer
How do you play Tichu?
The primary objective is for your team to be the first to accumulate 1000 points. Points are earned by winning tricks, collecting specific point-value cards within those tricks, and successfully fulfilling Tichu or Grand Tichu declarations made at the beginning of a round.
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the rules in 60 seconds▶ auto · 1/6
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01
Setup
Players form two teams, sitting opposite their partner, and each player receives 8 cards, then 6 more cards, and then exchanges 3 cards with other players.
The rules, step by step
Setup
Players form two teams, with teammates sitting opposite each other. Each player is dealt 8 cards, then 6 more cards. After receiving all 14 cards, each player chooses 3 cards to exchange: one to their partner, one to an opponent on their left, and one to an opponent on their right. The cards given to opponents should ideally be low-value or unhelpful, while the card given to a partner should be beneficial.
Objective
The primary objective is for your team to be the first to accumulate 1000 points. Points are earned by winning tricks, collecting specific point-value cards within those tricks, and successfully fulfilling Tichu or Grand Tichu declarations made at the beginning of a round.
On your turn
The player holding the Mahjong card (the only '1' card) starts the first trick. They can play the Mahjong card as a single card or as part of a combination. Players can play single cards, pairs, triples, consecutive pairs (e.g., 4-4-5-5), full houses (a triple and a pair), or straights (at least 5 consecutive cards). Subsequent players must play a higher combination of the same type or pass. If all other players pass, the player who played the highest combination wins the trick and starts the next one. Bombs (four of a kind or straight flushes) can be played at any time to win a trick, even out of turn, and can only be beaten by a higher bomb.
Scoring
Points are scored at the end of each round. Cards with a value of 5 are worth 5 points, 10s and Kings are worth 10 points. The Phoenix card subtracts 25 points, and the Dragon card adds 25 points. If a team's players finish first and second in a round, they earn a 200-point 'double victory' bonus. Successfully declared Tichu (before playing the first card) adds 100 points, and Grand Tichu (before seeing the 9th card) adds 200 points. Failing a Tichu or Grand Tichu declaration results in a penalty of 100 or 200 points, respectively.
Game end
The game concludes immediately when one team accumulates 1000 or more points. The team with the highest score at that moment is declared the winner. If both teams reach 1000 points in the same round, the team with the higher score wins.
Tips
Strategic card exchange at the start is crucial for hand optimization. The Mahjong card allows you to make a 'wish' for a specific card value (2-Ace), forcing the next player with a valid combination including that card to play it. The Phoenix is a wildcard that can take any numerical value (2-Ace) but cannot be part of a bomb and has a unique scoring value. The Dragon is the highest single card and wins any single-card trick, but if you win a trick with the Dragon, you must give all cards from that trick to an opponent. The Dog card allows you to pass your turn to your partner, or if your partner is out, to the next player in line. Bombs are powerful but should be used wisely to maximize their impact.
game anatomy
Complexity2.3 / 5
BGG rating7.6 / 10
Language dependence
No in-game text needed
Play time
30–90 min
Players
3–10
Recommended age
10+ yrs
BGG rank
#252
from Trișache · verified
Frequently asked questions
Q1What is the goal of the game?
The primary objective is for your team to be the first to accumulate 1000 points. Points are earned by winning tricks, collecting specific point-value cards within those tricks, and successfully fulfilling Tichu or Grand Tichu declarations made at the beginning of a round.
Q2How do you set up the game?
Players form two teams, with teammates sitting opposite each other. Each player is dealt 8 cards, then 6 more cards. After receiving all 14 cards, each player chooses 3 cards to exchange: one to their partner, one to an opponent on their left, and one to an opponent on their right. The cards given to opponents should ideally be low-value or unhelpful, while the card given to a partner should be beneficial.
Q3How does a turn work?
The player holding the Mahjong card (the only '1' card) starts the first trick. They can play the Mahjong card as a single card or as part of a combination. Players can play single cards, pairs, triples, consecutive pairs (e.g., 4-4-5-5), full houses (a triple and a pair), or straights (at least 5 consecutive cards). Subsequent players must play a higher combination of the same type or pass. If all other players pass, the player who played the highest combination wins the trick and starts the next one. Bombs (four of a kind or straight flushes) can be played at any time to win a trick, even out of turn, and can only be beaten by a higher bomb.
Q4How is scoring calculated?
Points are scored at the end of each round. Cards with a value of 5 are worth 5 points, 10s and Kings are worth 10 points. The Phoenix card subtracts 25 points, and the Dragon card adds 25 points. If a team's players finish first and second in a round, they earn a 200-point 'double victory' bonus. Successfully declared Tichu (before playing the first card) adds 100 points, and Grand Tichu (before seeing the 9th card) adds 200 points. Failing a Tichu or Grand Tichu declaration results in a penalty of 100 or 200 points, respectively.
Q5When and how does the game end?
The game concludes immediately when one team accumulates 1000 or more points. The team with the highest score at that moment is declared the winner. If both teams reach 1000 points in the same round, the team with the higher score wins.
Q6What tips are there for beginners?
Strategic card exchange at the start is crucial for hand optimization. The Mahjong card allows you to make a 'wish' for a specific card value (2-Ace), forcing the next player with a valid combination including that card to play it. The Phoenix is a wildcard that can take any numerical value (2-Ace) but cannot be part of a bomb and has a unique scoring value. The Dragon is the highest single card and wins any single-card trick, but if you win a trick with the Dragon, you must give all cards from that trick to an opponent. The Dog card allows you to pass your turn to your partner, or if your partner is out, to the next player in line. Bombs are powerful but should be used wisely to maximize their impact.
Q7How much does Tichu cost?
No store is currently tracking Tichu. Check the Prices tab — you can set a price alert to be notified when it appears.
Q8Where can I buy Tichu cheapest?
Check the Prices tab — howtoplay.ro aggregates offers from 7+ Romanian board-game stores and tracks price history.
Q9How do you play Tichu?
Tichu is a card game game, for 3–10 players, taking ~30–90 minutes, featuring hand management. Check the Rules tab for setup, gameplay, and scoring, or ask Trișache anything about Tichu — our AI assistant built by howtoplay.ro and trained specifically on board game rulebooks.
Q10How many players does Tichu support?
Tichu is played by 3–10 players.
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Tichu (Small Box English Edition)
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RON 59
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