Filipinos traditionally love playing cards, and Pekwa is one of the most popular and widely played. Together with Pusoy Dos and Tong-Its, these are played by friends and family members to spend their leisure time or just to have fun. In the traditional setting, the loser of the game buys food for the other participants. But in modern times, this has evolved, with many playing for money. If you’re a beginner or just want to discover this fun and entertaining card game, then check our guide below.
What is the Pekwa card Game?
The Philippines has a rich and colorful history that covers gambling and games. Among these, Pekwa is one of the most colorful and interesting as its deeply ingrained in the country’s culture. It’s often played by family members as a form of bonding moments and for socialization.
Traditionally, wagers aren’t real money. Instead, families use it for fun with food, errands, and tasks as punishment for those who lose the game! Today, Pekwa is still popular among families and often enjoyed during special occasions like reunions, gatherings, and festivities.
How to play?
Pekwa is based on Fan Tan or card dominoes and uses a standard pack of cards. Two to five players can join although, in traditional settings, more can be added. Here, your objective is to be the first to remove all cards on the table. You play by adding a card in a suit sequence in descending or ascending order. For example, after playing the ‘7’, the sixes or eights can be played and so on.
The betting rules and payouts are decided before the start of each round. In the Philippines, low stakes are popular, with some putting odd consequences in the mix like buying food or drinks.
Pekwa rules
The rules here are like Fan Tan. Like other table games, the cards are assigned specific values. In the ranking, King is the highest, followed by the Qs and Js. Next in line are the 10s up to As. At the beginning of the round, the participant puts a bet into the pot.
The dealer then deals with the cards starting from the left side. Under the game´s rules, all cards are dealt to the participants. In Pekwa, there’s a chance that one will have more cards than the other. If this happens, some rules allow increasing the ante bet.
Strategies and tips
What’s interesting about Pekwa is that the group can throw in a few unique rules. For some, the game starts with a 6 (of any suit) or a 7. Once the first card is on the table, the round starts with the others checking if they have a card that’s next in value. Based on the card game rules, the results are random so you can’t come up with a specific strategy to use. The best tip here is to come up with more exciting rules to make Pekwa more entertaining. For example, the group can add a fun side bet.
Pekwa card game varieties
Pekwa shares the rules with other fun casino titles such as Fan Tan and Card Dominoes. In Fan Tan, the same set of rules is used, with the initial play starting with a ‘7’. As they play the ‘7’, these are placed in a row at the center.
The sixes get another row to the right, the five and other low cards in sequence are added on the sixes. Once they play the eights, these are placed to the left of the sevens. Each one should play a card in every turn. If not, he adds a chip in the pot, and the chance to play passes to the left.
Can I play online?
This popular card game is now available online. You can now find its online version courtesy of apps for both Android and iOS that you can download and install on your device. These apps are mostly free to play, thus perfect for beginners and enthusiasts who want to explore and have fun.
Can I play Pekwa for real money?
In a traditional setting, you can play Pekwa for real money. There are gatherings you can join and enjoy low-stakes gambling. There’s also an option to enjoy Pekwa in real money online. However, only a few casinos offer it as part of the portfolio.
FAQ
Pekwa is a colorful card game that’s fun and easy to play. If you still have questions about its object and rules, check this section below.
What is joker mode?
In the Joker mode, the rules allow for the inclusion of the two Jokers into the deck and as part of the game play.
Can you play Pekwa online for free?
Yes, you can now find and download Pekwa apps that let you play using your mobile devices. In these mobile games, the Pekwa rules may feature slightly different rules, but the objective remains the same.
How many people can play Pekwa?
There’s no hard and fast rule on the number of Pekwa players. Traditionally, 2 to 4 players can take part in each round.
What is a game called Fan Tan?
It’s another card game that works like Pekwa in terms of the playing cards and rules used. The object in this game is to be the first to remove all cards on hand.