Capsa Susun – Rules
Play Capsa Susun against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Capsa Susun ("stacked capsa") |
| Type | Arrangement game with poker hands |
| Players | 2–4, usually 4 |
| Recommended age | 12 and up |
| Playing time | one round 2–4 minutes; a game 15–30 minutes |
| Material | 52 French cards, pen and paper |
| Goal | Arrange your 13 cards into three rows so that you win as many comparisons against the other players as possible. |
| Difficulty | medium |
What is it about? Capsa Susun is the Indonesian form of Chinese poker and very widespread in Indonesia and Malaysia. Everyone arranges 13 cards into three poker hands: 3 cards in front, 5 in the middle, 5 at the back. Then the rows are compared with all opponents'. There is no betting or bluffing – all that counts is how cleverly you arrange.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 52 French cards, ace high.
- Poker hands (low → high): high card, pair, two pair, three of a kind, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush.
- Front row: only high card, pair or three of a kind.
- Face up and face down: Set rows face down, reveal at the same time.
3. Preparation and start
- Dealing: Everyone gets 13 cards.
- Arranging: Everyone sets three rows face down: 3 – 5 – 5.
- Revealing: Everyone reveals at the same time.
Start example: You hold four fives, three hearts, two queens and four loose cards. Four of a kind at the back is strong – but then the middle still needs a useful hand.
4. Goal and winning
- A round: Each row is compared with the same row of every opponent.
- Game: After the agreed number of rounds, the player with the most points wins.
5. Play in detail
Setting rows.
- 5 cards at the back, 5 in the middle, 3 in front.
- Required: back ≥ middle ≥ front.
- A player who breaks this order ("foul") loses all rows against all players.
Comparing.
- Front against front, middle against middle, back against back.
- Each row won earns 1 point from that opponent.
- Winning all three rows against one opponent counts double.
Example with Players 1 to 4. Player 1 compares with Player 3.
- Front: Player 1's pair of queens against Player 3's ace-king-7 – Player 1 wins.
- Middle: Player 1's two pair against Player 3's straight – Player 3 wins.
- Back: Player 1's four of a kind against Player 3's flush – Player 1 wins.
- Against Player 3: 2 : 1 rows, so +1 point for Player 1.
6. Scoring
| Case | Points against one opponent |
|---|---|
| Row won | +1 |
| Row lost | −1 |
| All three rows won | double |
| Foul | as if all three were lost |
| Equal row | 0 |
- Bonuses (variant): Extra points for four of a kind or a straight flush at the back or in the middle.
- Recording: Points per player after every round.
7. Special rules and situations
- Special hands (variant): Dragon (13-card straight ace to king), six pairs, three flushes or three straights win at once.
- Equal rows: The row counts for nobody.
- Higher card decides: With the same type of hand the highest card decides.
- Common mistakes: making the middle stronger than the back; leaving nothing for the front.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 4 players, 3 – 5 – 5 cards, 1 point per row, all three double.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Special hands | Dragon, six pairs etc. win at once. | advanced players |
| Bonuses | Extra points for strong rows. | a change |
| Capsa Banting | Shedding game like Big Two. | climbing-game fans |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to three computer opponents (standard: four players) over 6, 3 or 10 rounds.
9. Tips for beginners
- Back first: Put your strongest five-card hand at the back.
- Don't forget the middle: A straight or two pair often wins.
- A pair in front: Even a small pair is strong in front.
- Don't foul: Check the order before revealing.
- Play balanced: Two rows won beat one very strong row.
- Think about everyone: You compare with each opponent separately.
- Split flush and straight: Sometimes together they make two good rows.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 52 cards, 13 cards each.
- Three rows: 3 – 5 – 5.
- Back ≥ middle ≥ front.
- Front only high card, pair or three of a kind.
- Reveal at the same time.
- Row against row with each opponent.
- Each row won +1.
- All three against one opponent: double.
- Foul: everything lost.
- After all rounds the most points wins.
11. Frequently asked questions
What is a foul?
Your rows are in the wrong order – you lose against everyone.
What is the dragon?
A straight from ace to king using all 13 cards – an instant win in the variant.
What goes in front?
Only three cards: high card, pair or three of a kind.
Is there betting?
No, only points are counted.
How is it different from Chinese poker?
Hardly at all – Capsa Susun is its Indonesian form.
How long does a game take?
About 15 to 30 minutes.
Origin & history
Came to Indonesia with Chinese immigrants from southern China (Shisanshui); 'capsa' derives from the Hokkien word for 13. Today mostly played online.