Guandan – Rules

Play Guandan against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Guandan comes from Jiangsu province and is now one of China's most popular card games. Everyone tries to shed their 27 cards in combinations. The better both partners finish, the more levels the team climbs. Bombs of four or more equal cards beat almost everything.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 2 × 52 cards plus 4 jokers = 108 cards; everyone gets 27.
• Ranking (low → high): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, level card, small joker, big joker.
• Level card: The cards of the current level (e.g. all sevens at level 7) rank above the ace.
• Wild level card (variant): The heart level card is wild and replaces any card.
• No points: What counts is the order in which players finish.

3. Preparation and start

1. Levels: Both teams start at level 2.
2. Dealing: Everyone gets 27 cards.
3. Tribute (from round 2): The last player gives the first their highest card; the first gives back a card of 10 or lower.
4. Start: In the first round any player starts, afterwards the last player of the previous round.

Start example: Level 2. So your twos rank above the ace. You hold four nines – a bomb.

4. Goal and winning

• A round: The first player out of cards finishes first. The finishing order decides.
• Climbing: The first player's team climbs (see scoring).
• Match: The team that wins at level ace (without a partner finishing last) wins the match.

5. Play in detail

Combinations.

Bombs (beat everything except higher bombs).

• 4 to 8 equal cards (more cards = higher).
• Straight flush (5 consecutive cards of one suit) – between the 5-card and 6-card bomb.
• Four jokers – the highest bomb.

A turn.

1. The starter plays any combination.
2. The others in turn play the same combination but higher – or a bomb – or pass.
3. If all others pass, the last player to play starts again.
4. When a player goes out, their partner takes over the new lead.

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

1. Player 1 plays the straight 5-6-7-8-9.
2. Player 2 plays 6-7-8-9-10. Player 4 passes. Player 3 passes.
3. Player 1 plays four nines – a bomb. Everyone passes.
4. Player 1 starts again with a pair of threes.

6. Scoring

• Played always at the level of the team that won last.
• Recording: Each team's level.

7. Special rules and situations

• Partner out: The partner plays on alone and takes over the lead.
• Avoiding tribute: If the last player holds both big jokers, there is no exchange.
• Level ace: Here the team must win without a partner finishing last.
• Common mistakes: wasting bombs early; overbidding your partner; breaking up straights.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 108 cards, 27 per player, levels 2 to ace, climbing 3/2/1.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with the player opposite as your partner; the match starts at level 2, 7 or 10.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Plan your hand: Sort your 27 cards into combinations early.
2. Save bombs: They rescue you at the end.
3. Support your partner: Don't beat them while they are leading.
4. Shed singles: Loose cards are hard to get rid of at the end.
5. Count level cards: They rank above the ace.
6. Finish together: 1st and 2nd bring three levels.
7. Keep count: How many jokers and bombs have gone?

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 108 cards, two teams, 27 cards each.
2. Levels start at 2.
3. The level card ranks above the ace, jokers above that.
4. Play a combination or beat it higher.
5. Single, pair, triple, full house, straight, tube, plate.
6. Bombs (4+ equal, straight flush, 4 jokers) beat everything.
7. If everyone passes, the last player starts again.
8. Finishing order counts.
9. 1st+2nd: +3, 1st+3rd: +2, 1st+4th: +1.
10. Win at level ace to win the match.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is a tube?

Three consecutive pairs, e.g. 5-5-6-6-7-7.

What is a plate?

Two consecutive triples, e.g. 5-5-5-6-6-6.

What beats a bomb?

Only a higher bomb.

Where does the level card rank?

Above the ace, below the jokers.

How many levels do you climb?

One to three, depending on where your partner finishes.

How long does a match take?

From level 2 to ace one to two hours.

Origin & history

Developed in the 1960s/70s in Huai'an (Jiangsu) from local climbing games. Boomed from around 2020 as a social game in companies and public offices; there are official tournaments.