Tứ Sắc, also known as “Four Colors,” is a captivating card game that has been enjoyed by generations in Vietnam. This article by zowin.ltd will offer a comprehensive guide to the game’s rules, strategies, and tips to help you become a skilled Tứ Sắc player. 

Introduction to Tứ Sắc

Tứ Sắc, also known as “Four Colors,” is a traditional Vietnamese card game that has been enjoyed for generations. Its origins are somewhat uncertain, but it is believed to have emerged in the 19th century, possibly influenced by other card games from China or Europe.

Tứ Sắc is played with a deck of 52 standard playing cards. The goal of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all their cards by forming and melding sets of cards. Sets can be formed in three ways:

• Single: A single card of any rank.
• Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
• Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
• Straight: Three or more cards in sequence, regardless of suit.
• Flush: Three or more cards of the same suit.

The game is played in turns, with each player drawing a card from the deck or picking up the top card from the discard pile. Players can then meld sets of cards from their hands, placing them face up on the table. Once a player melds a set, they can continue to draw cards and meld sets until they are unable to do so. The game continues until one player has gotten rid of all their cards.

Tứ Sắc is a traditional Vietnamese card game

How to Play Tứ Sắc: A Step-by-Step Guide

In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of the Vietnamese card game Tứ Sắc, providing a step-by-step breakdown of its rules and gameplay:

Preparation

To play a game of Tu Sac, you will need the following items:

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards
• A playing surface, such as a table or the floor
• A group of 2-4 players

Once you have gathered your materials, you can begin to set up the game. First, shuffle the deck of cards thoroughly. Then, deal 10 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the playing surface.

The player to the left of the dealer goes first.

Turn Actions
During your turn, you can perform one of the following actions:

• Play a Card: Place a card from your hand onto the table that matches the color or number of the top card on the discard pile.
• Capture a Card: If the top card on the discard pile matches a card in your hand, you can “capture” it by placing your card on top. Then, draw an additional card from the draw pile.
• Exchange a Card: If you cannot play, capture, or exchange a card, you can swap a card from your hand with a card on the table. The card you exchange must match the color or number of the top card on the discard pile.
• Draw a Card: If you cannot play, capture, or exchange a card, you must draw a card from the draw pile.

Determining the Winner and Calculating the Final Score

The game of Tứ Sắc ends when one player has successfully melded all of their cards into sets and runs. This player is declared the winner.

To calculate the final score, each player’s remaining cards are counted as follows:

• Regular cards: 5 points each
• Wild cards: 10 points each

The winner’s score is then subtracted from the total of the other players’ scores to determine the final score. For example, if the winner has 15 points and the other players have 30, 40, and 50 points, the final score would be:

30 – 15 = 15 40 – 15 = 25 50 – 15 = 35

The winner would have a final score of 15, while the other players would have scores of 25, 35, and 50, respectively.

A step-by-step breakdown of its rules and gameplay

Handling Common Challenges in Tứ Sắc

When playing Tứ Sắc, you may encounter several challenging situations. Here are some tips to help you deal with them:

Situation 1: When You Have No Cards to Play

This is a common scenario. When this happens, you can:

• Ask for Cards: You can request cards from the player next to you. If they have a card of the same color or number as the top card on the discard pile, they must give it to you.
• Draw from the Draw Pile: If no one has the card you need, draw from the draw pile. However, be cautious as you might draw a card that forces you to change color or number.
• Change Color: If you can’t play any cards, you can change the color by playing any card. Remember to change the color only after playing all cards of the same color as the top card on the discard pile.
• Change Number: Similar to changing color, you can also change the number by playing any card. You must change the number only after playing all cards of the same number as the top card on the discard pile.

Situation 2: When You Have Too Many Cards

This is also a common situation. When this occurs, you can:

• Play Multiple Cards at Once: If you have several cards of the same color or number, you can play them all at once.
• Break Down Groups: If you have many cards of the same color or number but can’t play them all at once, break them into smaller groups.
• Focus on One Group: If you have multiple groups of cards, focus on one group and try to play all of them first.

Situation 3: When You’re Blocked

This is a more challenging situation. When this happens, you can:

• Try Playing a Different Card: If you’re blocked with one card, try playing a different card of the same color or number.
• Request Cards from Other Players: You can ask the player next to you for a card. If they have a card of the same color or number as the top card on the discard pile, they must give it to you.
• Change Color or Number: If you can’t play any card, you may change the color or number. However, do this only after playing all cards of the same color or number as the top card on the discard pile.

Some tips for encounter several challenging situations when playing Tứ Sắc

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve explored the fascinating world of Tứ Sắc. We’ve learned about the game’s history, basic rules, and advanced tips to enhance your chances of winning. Play with friends, family, or even online at https://zowin.ltd/ to improve your memory, opponent-reading skills, and situation handling to win the game with ease.