Tractor (Shengji) – Rules

Play Tractor (Shengji) against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Tractor is one of China's most popular trick-taking games. Each team has a "level", starting at 2. One team defends, the other collects points. If the attackers score fewer than 80 points, the defenders level up. The special feature: you may lead not only single cards but also pairs and "tractors" – consecutive pairs.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 2 × 52 cards plus 4 jokers (2 big, 2 small) = 108 cards.
• Trumps (high → low): big joker, small joker, level card in the trump suit, level cards of the other suits, then the trump suit from ace down (without level cards).
• Level: The cards of the current level rank (e.g. all fives at level 5) are trumps.
• Points:

• Total: 200 points per deal.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, kitty (8 cards) face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Levels: Both teams start at level 2.
2. Dealing: Everyone draws cards in turn up to 25; 8 cards remain as the kitty.
3. Declaring trumps: While drawing, a player may show a level card and so make its suit trumps. A pair overrides a single card.
4. Starter: The defending team provides the starter. They pick up the kitty and put 8 cards back face down.
5. Start: The starter leads.

Start example: Level 2. While drawing you get the 2 of hearts and show it: hearts are trumps, all twos are trumps.

4. Goal and winning

• A deal: The attackers collect points (fives, tens, kings).
• Fewer than 80 points: The defenders level up and stay defenders.
• 80 points or more: Roles switch; from 120 the attackers level up as well.
• Match: The first team past level ace wins.

5. Play in detail

Leading. The leader may play:

• a single card,
• a pair (two identical cards, e.g. two nines of spades),
• a tractor (two or more consecutive pairs of the same suit, e.g. spades 9-9-10-10).

Following.

1. Everyone plays the same number of cards.
2. Follow suit as far as possible; for pairs and tractors also follow with pairs as far as possible.
3. A player without the suit may trump in the same shape or discard anything.
4. The trick goes to the highest combination of the shape led.

Kitty. If the attackers win the last trick, they score the kitty's points double (four times when it was won with pairs).

Example with Players 1 to 4. Level 2, hearts trumps. Players 1 and 4 defend. Order: Player 1, 3, 4, 2.

1. Player 1 leads a pair of aces of spades.
2. Player 3 has no pair of spades but two spades: he must give both (5 and 8 of spades) – 5 points in the trick.
3. Player 4 plays the king and 3 of spades. Player 2 plays two tens of spades (a pair, but lower than aces).
4. Trick to Player 1. The 5 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 35 points stay with the defenders.

6. Scoring

• Recording: Each team's level.

7. Special rules and situations

• Overriding trumps: A pair of level cards overrides a single one; a pair of jokers overrides everything (then no trump suit).
• No declaration: If nobody declares, the kitty decides trumps (variant).
• Multiple lead (variant): Several top combinations of one suit at once.
• Compulsory levels (variant): Certain levels (5, 10, K) must be played as defenders.
• Common mistakes: forgetting to follow with pairs; feeding points to the attackers; underestimating the kitty points.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 108 cards, 4 players, levels 2 to ace, 80-point threshold.

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

9. Tips for beginners

1. Keep pairs: Pairs and tractors are the strongest leads.
2. Count trumps: There are many – jokers, level cards and a whole suit.
3. Protect points: As defenders, don't give away fives, tens or kings.
4. Smart kitty: As starter, only bury points if you are sure of the last trick.
5. Support your partner: When they hold the trick, add points (as attackers).
6. Void a suit: Once you lack a suit, you can trump it.
7. Patience: A match is long – every level counts.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 108 cards, two teams, levels from 2.
2. 25 cards each, kitty 8.
3. Showing a level card decides trumps.
4. The starter takes the kitty and buries 8.
5. Lead: single, pair or tractor.
6. Same number of cards; follow suit and pairs.
7. Without the suit: trump in the same shape or discard.
8. Attackers collect fives, tens, kings (200 in total).
9. Under 80: defenders level up; from 80: roles switch.
10. The first team past the ace wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is a tractor?

Two or more consecutive pairs of the same suit, e.g. 9-9-10-10.

What is trumps?

The jokers, all cards of the current level and the chosen trump suit.

Which cards score?

Fives 5, tens and kings 10 each.

When do roles switch?

When the attackers collect 80 points or more.

What happens with the kitty?

If the attackers win the last trick, they score its points several times over.

How long does a match take?

From level 2 to ace one to two hours; shorter with a later start.

Origin & history

Shengji ('levelling up') is one of China's most popular card games; the variant Tuolaji is named after the 'tractor' combination of consecutive pairs. The teams climb from level 2 up to the ace; the trump rank changes with the level.