Tien Len Poker

Tiến Lên Poker

This is one of most popular card games in Vietnam.
“Tiến Lên” means advance, move forward.

The game is for a group of from 2 to 4 players. Players move in turn until all cards in their hands down to win.

Playing guide:

Strength of cards increase by rank 3, 4,… K, A, 2.
Strength of same rank cards increase by their suits: spade, club, diamond, heart.

Normal form:
– Single: 1 card
– Pair: 2 same rank cards
– 3 of a kind: 3 same rank cards
– Straight: 3 or more cards are sequential of rank but not including 2.
2 straights have different card numbers (length) are not able to compare.

Special form (bomb):
– 3 sequential pairs: 3 pairs are sequential of rank but not including 2
– 4 of a kind: 4 same rank cards
– 4 sequential pairs: 4 pairs are sequential of rank but not including 2.

To compare 2 forms in a same type we compare their strongest cards.

Generally, 2 forms in different types are not able to compare, except following cases:
– single of 2 < 3 sequential pairs < 4 of a kind < 4 sequential pairs
– pair of 2 < 4 of a kind < 4 sequential pairs
– 3 sequential pairs < 4 of a kind < 4 sequential pairs

Begin of a set, each player has 13 cards and need to move all them to win.
A move should be a form described above.
The first move of the first set must contain 3 spade (the smallest card).

In turn, counterclockwise round, next player need to use a stronger form to move.
If the player can’t find a suitable form or not want to move he/she should leave the current round and the next player move.

A player has a 4 sequential pairs can use it to jump into a round from outside to capture weaker forms.

Who makes the last move in the current round has right to move first in the next round.
If that player win (freed all his/her cards), the nearest player on counterclockwise direction will move first in next round.

The player wins First rank will move first in next set.

Scoring:
– First rank: 4 points
– Second rank: 2 points
– Third rank: 1 point
– Fourth rank: 0 point

Bonus score:
If a player uses bomb to catch 2(s) or smaller bombs, he/she has bonus score calculated by caught cards:
– 2 spade: 1 point
– 2 club: 2 points
– 2 diamond: 3 points
– 2 heart: 4 points
– 3 sequential pairs: 4 points
– 4 of a kind: 6 points
– 4 sequential pairs: 8 points

Note:
– bonus score is accumulated until the round finish or a player win.
– the second last player is subtracted the bonus score.
– caught cards in the last move of a player are not scored.

When a player win the First rank, anyone still has 13 cards is kicked out of the set, subtracted 4 points and points of 2 cards or bombs if they exist. The First player obtains that score.

If the Fourth player still has 2 cards or bombs when the set finish, he/she is subtracted points of those cards. The Third obtains that score.

Win soon:
If a player has following special hands win 12 points and the set finish.
– 6 pairs
– 5 sequential pairs
– 4 of a kind of 2 cards
– 0 pair (straight 3-A and a 2 card)
Next set, who has 3 spade will move first and should include 3 spade in that first move.