Conquian – Rules

Play Conquian against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Conquian comes from Mexico and is considered one of the ancestors of all rummy games. Its special feature: a card from the middle may never be taken into your hand. You must meld it at once with at least two of your own cards – or leave it. Whoever melds 10 cards wins the round.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 40 Spanish cards: 1–7, sota (10), caballo (11), rey (12) in oros, copas, espadas, bastos.
• Run: three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. The 7 is next to the sota: 6-7-sota is valid. The ace is always low.
• Set: three or four cards of the same rank.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, stock face down, middle card and melds face up.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 9 cards.
2. Cambio: Everyone passes one card face down to the right at the same time.
3. Start: The player right of the dealer turns over the top stock card.

Start example: You hold the 4 and 5 of oros. If the 6 of oros is turned up, you meld 4-5-6 at once.

4. Goal and winning

• A round: The first to meld 10 cards (all 9 hand cards plus one middle card) wins.
• Draw: If the stock runs out, the round ends without a winner.
• Game: After the agreed number of rounds, the player who won most rounds wins.

5. Play in detail

A turn.

1. The face-up middle card (turned up or discarded) is available.
2. Taking: You may only take it if you meld it at once – with at least two hand cards or added to one of your own melds.
3. Then you discard a card – it becomes the new middle card for the next player.
4. Declining: If you don't want the card, the next player is on; if nobody can use it, a new card is turned up.

Example with Players 1 and 2. Two players.

1. The 7 of copas is turned up. Player 1 holds the 5 and 6 of copas and melds 5-6-7. He discards the 2 of espadas.
2. Player 2 doesn't take the 2 of espadas. He turns up the rey of bastos and melds it with two reyes.
3. Player 2 discards the sota of copas. Player 1 adds it to his run: 5-6-7-sota.
4. Player 1 discards. Now he has 4 cards melded – 6 to go.

6. Scoring

• Recording: Rounds won per player.
• Stakes (variant): The winner receives a fixed stake from each opponent.

7. Special rules and situations

• Never into the hand: A middle card may never be taken into your hand.
• Rearranging: Your own melds may be rearranged as long as everything stays valid.
• Forcing (variant): If the middle card fits an opponent's meld, you can force it on them.
• No laying off on opponents: Only on your own melds.
• Nine melded is not enough: The tenth card must be a middle card.
• Common mistakes: melding cards you'll need later for building; discarding what the opponent can use at once.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 2 players, 9 cards, goal 10 melded cards, 5 rounds.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one or two computer opponents over 5, 3 or 9 rounds.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Keep runs open: Better 4-5 in hand than an early set that can't grow.
2. 7 and sota: They are adjacent – that extends runs.
3. Check your discard: Don't discard anything that fits an opponent's meld.
4. Rearrange: A set of four can give up a card for a run.
5. Keep count: Which cards are already melded?
6. Patience: Sometimes declining beats a weak meld.
7. Plan the last card: The tenth card must come from the middle.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 40 Spanish cards, 9 cards each.
2. Pass one card to the right at the start.
3. Turn up the middle card.
4. Take it only if you meld it at once.
5. With at least two hand cards – or on your own meld.
6. Then discard a card.
7. Declining: the next player is on.
8. Run (3+ in a suit, 7 next to sota) or set (3–4 of a rank).
9. Melding 10 cards wins the round.
10. Stock empty: draw.

11. Frequently asked questions

May I take the middle card into my hand?

No, never.

How many cards must I meld?

Ten – all nine hand cards and one middle card.

Is 6-7-sota a run?

Yes, the 7 is next to the sota.

May I lay off on opponents' melds?

No, only on your own.

What happens when the stock runs out?

The round ends in a draw.

How long does a game take?

Five rounds take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Origin & history

First known mention in 1857 in Mexico City; reached Texas in the 1860s and is considered the ancestor of the whole Western rummy family (incl. Gin Rummy). The name is popularly derived from '¿con quién?'; an origin in the Philippine Kongkian is considered more likely.