Gong Zhu – Rules

Play Gong Zhu against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Gong Zhu is a Chinese relative of Hearts. Hearts and the "pig" (queen of spades) score minus points, the "sheep" (jack of diamonds) scores plus points, and the 10 of clubs doubles everything. Whoever takes all the hearts turns the scoring around.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards, ace high, 2 low.
• No trumps.
• Scoring cards:

• Face up and face down: Hands concealed; scoring cards won lie face up in front of the winner.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 13 cards.
2. Start: The player left of the dealer leads.
3. Tricks: 13 tricks are played.

Start example: You hold the queen of spades, but also the ace and king of spades. Dangerous: when spades are led, you might catch the pig yourself.

4. Goal and winning

• A round: Avoid catching minus cards, and try to win the sheep.
• Game: When someone reaches −1000, the game ends. The player with the most points wins.

5. Play in detail

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Following suit is compulsory.
3. A player who can't follow discards anything – ideally the pig or high hearts.
4. The highest card of the suit led wins.
5. The winner places the scoring cards face up in front of them and leads next.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.

1. Player 1 leads the queen of diamonds. Player 2 plays the jack of diamonds (the sheep). Player 4 plays the ace of diamonds. Player 3 plays the 3 of diamonds.
2. Player 4 wins and gets the sheep: +100.
3. Player 4 leads the 10 of spades. Player 3 has no spades and discards the ace of hearts. Player 1 plays the queen of spades, Player 2 the king of spades.
4. Player 2 wins with the king and gets the pig and the ace of hearts: −150.

6. Scoring

• Recording: Each player's total after every round.
• End: As soon as someone reaches −1000.

7. Special rules and situations

• All hearts: Whoever catches all 13 hearts scores +200 instead of the minus points.
• Everything (variant): All hearts, pig, sheep and doubler together bring a big bonus.
• Exposing (variant): Showing scoring cards before play doubles their value.
• Common mistakes: catching the pig with your own ace or king of spades; giving away the sheep; forgetting the 10 of clubs.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 4 players, no trumps, game ends at −1000.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against three computer opponents; the game ends at −1000 or −500.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Dump the pig: Discard the queen of spades as soon as you can't follow a suit.
2. Careful with ace and king of spades: They easily catch the pig.
3. Hunt the sheep: Lead high diamonds while the sheep is still out.
4. Watch the 10 of clubs: With many minus points it becomes dangerous.
5. Void suits: Then you can discard penalty cards.
6. Keep count: Which high hearts have gone?
7. All hearts only when safe: The attempt can be costly.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, 4 players, 13 cards each.
2. No trumps, follow suit.
3. Highest card of the suit wins.
4. Hearts −50 to 0.
5. Queen of spades (pig) −100.
6. Jack of diamonds (sheep) +100.
7. 10 of clubs doubles, alone +50.
8. All hearts: +200.
9. Add up after every round.
10. At −1000 the game ends; most points wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is the pig?

The queen of spades, −100 points.

What is the sheep?

The jack of diamonds, +100 points.

What does the 10 of clubs do?

It doubles its holder's points for the round; without other scoring cards it gives +50.

Are there trumps?

No.

What happens with all hearts?

They score +200 instead of −200.

When does the game end?

As soon as someone reaches −1000 points.

Origin & history

Gong Zhu ('chasing the pig') is a Chinese development of Hearts that probably emerged in the 20th century. Besides the pig (queen of spades) there is also a plus card, the sheep (jack of diamonds).