TongIts is a widely popular street card game in the Philippines that involves three players who agree on a certain bet at the beginning. Tong its a unique card game using the standard deck that originated in Luzon, Philippines, and features some rules from poker, mahjong, and rummy. The game has a loyal following among Filipinos and is a subject of many regulations. Today, Tongits is primarily played for fun among friends and families.
What is the Tongits card Game?
The Philippines is home to many colorful regional games with tongits as one of the most recognizable. It’s a 3-player rummy-inspired game that uses a deck with 52 cards. Tong its shares some similarities with many ‘card-shedding games’ since a player must remove all cards from the hand. Or if all fails to do this, at least own the hand with the least number. Like other forms of card games, players decide on the bet at the start of each round.
How to play Tongits?
This card game is easy to play and traditionally involves three players. Tong its a game that began its popularity on the island of Luzon, in the Philippines. Not much is known about its roots, but some literature suggests that it was played in Pangasinan in the mid-1980s. In Tongits, one wins by discarding all cards. The game rules share some similarities with Tonk, an American game, and Mahjong.
Tongits rules
At the start of the round, a player is selected to act as the dealer to draw the cards from the deck. In the succeeding rounds, the winner of the previous round works as the dealer. To win the game, you need to discard all cards or hold the least number at the end of the round. The play and the winner, cards are assigned specific values and the task is to meld or combine these. On his turn, the player can pick a card, lay a set, or dump.
Tongits strategies + Playing Tips
In playing Tongits, there are several strategies and tips that you can use. Aside from mastering the tong its rules like draw, you can also strategize how to drop or lay the cards. You can improve your chances of winning by dropping at least a set of complete cards. This will make it for the next player to call for a draw. You can also start by dropping a high card to intimidate others on the table.
Also, there are a few things to avoid when playing Tongits. For example, try not to run out of cards. In short, you need to pace your game so that you can easily meld or draw, or match based on the cards thrown on the table.
Can I play online?
Tongits is a widely played street card game in the country. Even with the existing regulations, many enthusiasts still enjoy tong its in the comfort of their homes. If you love playing Tongits or other games, then you can also check it out online. There are several mobile apps for Android and iOS that lets you enjoy the card game for free.
Tong-its Go and related games from popular suppliers like ZingPlay let you enjoy the game while socializing with other players. To enjoy the mobile version of tong-its, simply visit the Play Store or the Apple Store to download the app and install it on your device. However, these tong-its apps are only for fun and will not offer real money prizes.
Can I play Tongits for real money?
Yes, there are websites right now that allow players to play for real money. However, playing the game in the country is illegal, especially if done in public places.
FAQ
For other questions about Tongits, you can rely on the following section.
Can you play Tongits online for free?
Yes, you can now enjoy this game for free. You can download an app from ZingPlay or other vendors to play tong-its using your smartphone.
What is the highest card in the Tong-its card game?
Cards in tongits assume specific values and these are used in melding. The Ace gets 1 point, cards from 1 to 9 retain their face values and royals get 10.
How many players are on Tongits?
In traditional tong-its, a table will accommodate three players using a standard deck. Two players get 12 cards and the other gets 13.
Can I play the Card Game online?
There are two ways how you can enjoy tongits online. One, you can download free tongits apps online and install them on your phone. And two, you can visit gambling sites that offer this card game in the free demo.
What is Meld (Bahay)?
In tongits, meld or Bahay is a set of cards that you should collect to win a round or call a draw. Once you collect a meld, you have the option to keep it or lay it on the table. Some examples of meld or Bahay in tongits are Three of a Kind, Four of a Kind, and Straight Flush.