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Official Big Two Rules

Big Two, also known as Deuces, Choh Dai Di, or Pusoy Dos, is a popular card game in East Asia. It's a shedding game, meaning the goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by playing them in various combinations.

Objective

The objective of Big Two is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by playing valid combinations that beat the previous play.

Setup

  • Players: Big Two is typically played with 4 players, but can be played with 2 to 4 players.

  • Dealing:Shuffle the deck and deal all the cards evenly to the players (13 cards each for 4 players).

Card Rankings

  • Suits: In descending order - Spades (♠), Hearts (♥), Clubs (♣), Diamonds (♦).

  • Ranks: 2 (highest), A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 (lowest).


Gameplay

  1. Starting the Game:

    • The player with the 3 of Diamonds (♦3) starts the game by playing any valid combination that includes the ♦3.

  2. Valid Combinations:

    • Single Card: Any single card.

    • Pair: Two cards of the same rank.

    • Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.

    • Five-Card Hands:

      • Straight: Five consecutive cards of any suit (e.g., 3-4-5-6-7).

      • Flush: Five cards of the same suit.

      • Full House: Three cards of one rank and two cards of another rank.

      • Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank plus any single card.

      • Straight Flush: Five consecutive cards of the same suit.

  3. Playing a Turn:

    • Players take turns in a clockwise direction.

    • On their turn, a player can either play a higher-ranking combination of the same type as the previous play or pass.

    • If all players pass consecutively, the last player to make a play starts a new round with any valid combination.

  4. Ending a Round:

    • A round continues until one player has no cards left, which ends the round.

    • The remaining players count the number of cards left in their hands for scoring.

Winning the Game

  • The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the round.

  • In a series of rounds, the player with the fewest points (from the number of cards remaining in their hand after each round) wins the game. Scoring (Optional)

    • Each card remaining in a player’s hand counts as 1 point against them.

    • The game can be played to a predetermined number of rounds or a set score limit, such as 100 points. The player with the fewest points at the end wins.

Strategy

  • Lead with Low Cards: Try to lead with low cards to force higher cards out of your opponents' hands.

  • Save Powerful Cards: Keep your 2s, Aces, and strong combinations for critical moments when you need to take control.

  • Pay Attention: Track what cards and combinations have been played to anticipate what your opponents might have.

Big Two is a fast-paced and competitive game that requires quick thinking and strategic play.

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