Thirteen, also known as Tien Len, Tiến Lên or Vietnamese Poker, is a popular card game that originated in Vietnam but is now enjoyed by players all over the world. It is typically played by 2 to 4 players, though larger groups can also play by using multiple decks of cards. The game is known for its simple rules and strategic gameplay. Here are the basic rules for playing Thirteen: Objective: The objective of Thirteen is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards. Setup: Thirteen is typically played with a standard 52-card deck, though jokers can be added as wild cards if desired. The ranking of cards from highest to lowest is 2-A-K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3. Suits do not matter in this game. Dealing: The dealer shuffles the deck and deals out all the cards evenly to the players. If there are four players, each player receives 13 cards. If there are three players, one card is removed, and if there are two players, two cards are removed. Gameplay: The player holding the 3 of spades goes first, and the play proceeds clockwise. Players take turns playing a combination of cards that beat the previously played combination. Valid combinations include single cards, pairs, three of a kind, four of a kind, straights, and flushes. The following rules apply: Single Cards: A single card can only be beaten by a higher single card. Pairs: A pair of cards can only be beaten by a higher pair. Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank can only be beaten by a higher three of a kind. Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank can only be beaten by a higher four of a kind. Straights: A straight consists of five or more consecutive cards. A higher straight can beat a lower one, and a straight can beat any lower-ranked combinations of cards. Flushes: A flush consists of five or more cards of the same suit. A higher flush can beat a lower one, and a flush can beat any lower-ranked combinations of cards. Players must play a higher-ranking combination or pass. If a player passes, they cannot play again in that round. End of Round: A round ends when all players pass consecutively. The player who played the last valid combination gets to lead in the next round. Winning: The first player to get rid of all their cards wins the game. If multiple players are playing, the game continues until all but one player has no cards left. Scoring: You can keep score by assigning penalty points for the cards left in the hands of the other players. The player who goes out first earns zero penalty points, while the others accumulate points based on the cards they still hold (e.g., face cards and 10s may be worth 10 points each, and the rest are worth their face value). The game can be played to a predetermined score limit. Thirteen is a game that requires strategy, memory, and careful card management. The specific rules and scoring can vary from one group to another, so it\s a good idea to agree on the rules and scoring system before starting the game.
