Tongits Lite 2.0.8

Tongits Lite is a popular three-player knock rummy game that has gained popularity in the northern Philippines in recent years.

Players & Cards

Tong-Its is a game designed for three players only, utilizing a standard deck of 52 Anglo-American cards without jokers. The cards in each suit are ranked as follows: Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, and King. An Ace holds a value of 1 point, while Jacks, Queens, and Kings are all worth 10 points each. All other cards are valued according to their face value.

Objective

The main objective of the game is to form sets and runs by drawing and discarding cards, while minimizing the number of unmatched cards remaining in your hand.

A run consists of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit, such as ♥4, ♥5, ♥6 or ♠8, ♠9, ♠10, ♠J. However, note that A-K-Q is not considered a run since Aces are considered low in this particular game.

A set is formed when three or four cards of the same rank are grouped together, such as ♥7, ♣7, ♦7. Each card can only belong to one combination at a time; you cannot use the same card for both a set and a run.

The Deal

The first dealer is randomly selected. Subsequently, the dealer becomes the winner of the previous hand. The cards are dealt counterclockwise one by one. The dealer receives thirteen cards while each of the other players receives twelve. The rest of the deck is placed face down to form the stock.

The Play

Each turn in the game follows these steps:

1. Draw: Start by taking one card from either the top of the stock or the top card on the discard pile, and add it to your hand. You can only draw from the discard pile if you can create a meld (a set or run) with it. If you draw from the discard pile, you are required to expose the meld.
2. Exposing Melds: If you have a valid meld or melds (sets or runs) in your hand, you can expose any of them on the table in front of you. Exposing a meld is optional if you drew a card from the stock. You are not obligated to expose a meld just because you can. Note that melds held in hand do not count against you at the end of the play. At least one meld must be laid on the table for the hand to be considered opened. In a special case where you can meld a set of four without drawing from the discard pile to complete it, you can lay the set facedown. This allows you to "open" your hand without losing bonus payments for a secret set of four and without revealing the cards to other players.
3. Laying off (sapaw): This step is optional as well. You may add cards to sets or runs that have previously been melded by yourself or others. There is no limit to the number of cards that can be laid off in one turn. It is not necessary to have opened your hand in order to lay off. Laying off a card onto another player's exposed meld prevents them from calling Draw on their next turn.
4. Discard: At the end of your turn, you must discard one card from your hand and place it face up on top of the discard pile.

Contact Us

If you encounter any issues with Tongits Lite or would like to share feedback on how we can improve, please don't hesitate to contact us.

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