Bagchen is played with four players, with no partnerships, in a clockwise direction.

You'll need a set of 64 dominoes, which includes:

• Four each of the following tiles: [6-6], [1-1], [4-4], [3-1], [5-5], [3-3], [2-2], [6-5], [6-4], [6-1], [5-1]

• Two each of the following tiles: [6-3], [5-4], [6-2], [5-3], [5-2], [4-3], [4-2], [4-1], [3-2], [2-1]
  

Additionally, you need two six-sided dice. Tibetan dominoes and dice are ideal for authenticity, as they resemble Mah Jong tiles in size and shape. You may find these under various spellings such as Bagchen, Pagchen, Bakchen, or Pakchen. They have been available through Shang Shung institutes in Austria and North America and can also be purchased in Lhasa or Hong Kong.

If Tibetan dominoes are unavailable, you can use two 32-tile sets of ordinary Chinese dominoes and two Chinese dice, or improvise with four 6-6 sets of Western dominoes and two Western dice.

For scoring, it's convenient to use chips, with each player starting with an equal number.

Outline of Play

Tiles are distributed so each player receives 16. Play occurs in tricks, where one player leads with a tile or set of tiles, and the others must play the same number of tiles. If a player cannot beat the current tiles, they place their tiles face down underneath the stack. The winning tiles are placed face up at the top of the stack. The player who wins the trick takes the stack and leads the next trick. There are always 16 tricks in total.

At the start, the two dice are rolled to determine four "point" tiles. A point tile cannot be beaten, but if led, it wins automatically. The player who leads with a point tile is paid by the other players.

Players are constrained in their leads based on what the starting player plays. Other players may only play face down tiles of the same number or face up tiles that beat the top tile of the trick. The game continues until all tiles are played, and the final trick's winner is paid based on the number of stacks they have won.

Suits, Ranking, and Combinations

Dominoes are divided into two suits: sky and earth. Sky has 44 tiles with 11 different types, and earth has 20 tiles with 10 types. The ranking is as follows:

Sky Suit:

• Sky Chief: [6-6]

• Sky Minister: [1-1]

• Lama: [4-4]

• Bird: [3-1]

• Sisters: [5-5], [3-3], [2-2]

• People: [6-5], [6-4], [6-1], [5-1]

Earth Suit:

• Earth Chief: [6-3] = [5-4]

• Earth Minister: [6-2] = [5-3]

• Seven: [4-3] = [5-2]

• Mother: [4-2]

• Five: [4-1] = [2-3]

• Son: [2-1]

Tiles can only be beaten by higher tiles of the same suit. Sky tiles cannot beat earth tiles and vice versa. For example, [5-3] can only be beaten by [6-3] or [5-4], not by [6-6] or [6-2].

Combinations and Special Tiles

• Ordinary Combinations: Identical sets of sky or earth tiles can be led, and they can only be beaten by higher identical sets of the same suit.

• Mixed Chiefs and Ministers: Sets of ministers can be led but beaten only by an equal-sized set of chiefs. Sets of chiefs cannot be beaten.

• Mother and Son: The combination [4-2][2-1] is unbeatable when led together and counts as a point.

• Mare, Stallion, and Complete Horse: Special combinations where the mare and stallion have specific beating rules. The complete horse is unbeatable when led but does not beat other combinations.
  

Points

Points are tiles or combinations that cannot be beaten but cannot beat other tiles. Points are determined by rolling the dice and can include:

• Four tiles of the same value if a sky tile is rolled.

• All earth tiles of equal value if an earth tile is rolled.

• Mother [4-2] and Son [2-1] if either is rolled.

Points include combinations like mother and son, which are always worth three points if they are both point tiles.

Procedure for Choosing Seats and the Starting Player

Seats can be assigned based on dice rolls and the time of day. Alternatively, players may sit where they choose and determine the starting player through dice rolls.

The Deal

Tiles are shuffled face down, and each player builds two towers of four tiles high. The starting player is chosen based on the dice roll. The chosen tower is selected, and each player picks tiles in a clockwise order.

Demanding a Re-Deal

A re-deal can be requested if a player has no high tiles in each suit, excluding points.

Further Steps Before Play Begins

• Four Chiefs of Sky: If a player has all four [6-6] tiles, they must reveal them.

• Uniting Mothers and Sons: Players with mother and son tiles may exchange them under specific conditions.
  

The Play

Players must follow the constraints based on the leading player's tile. Face-down play is allowed if the player cannot beat the lead. The game continues until all tiles are played.

Passport

A player with six or more tricks has a "passport," exempting them from future payments but restricting their lead options.

Charity

A player without a passport may lead a face-down tile and optionally name a suit. If all players play face down, the first player wins the trick.

Scoring

Payments are made during and after play, with adjustments based on points and the number of tricks won.

Ending the Game

A player who wins all sixteen tricks wins all the chips. The game can be ended by declaring Gobah, followed by additional deals or a final Tashi Gobah.

Customs

• Exchanging Seats: Players may request a change of seats before shuffling.

• Exchanging Tiles: Players may exchange hands before viewing their tiles.

• Storing Dice and Tricks: Dice showing the point are kept to the left of the starting player, and tricks are stored to the winner's left.
  

Hints and Omens

Players can use dice rolls as hints and watch for omens, such as holding three sky chiefs, which can influence strategies.