Let’s Play Tongits! A Simple Guide to the Filipino Card Game Everyone Loves

Tongits is a popular card game in the Philippines, especially in homes and small gatherings. It’s usually played with three players and uses a standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers). The goal is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by forming sets and runs—or to have the lowest points when the game ends.

The game shares many similarities with rummy and other matching-type games. It became especially popular in the 1990s, and to this day, it remains a favourite among friends and families across the country.

The Setup

What You Need

• One standard deck of 52 cards (no jokers)

• Three players (you can play with two, but three is ideal)

• A table or space to spread out your cards

Basic Terms to Know

• Melds – Sets or runs of cards you place on the table

• Draw pile – The stack of face-down cards from which players draw

• Discard pile – Where players place a card at the end of their turn

• Tongits – When a player goes out by getting rid of all their cards

• Burn – A player loses without a chance to challenge

• Draw – A player wins by calling the game when the draw pile is low

• Challenge – A player who believes they have fewer points can challenge another player’s win

Setting Up the Game

1. Choose a dealer. Shuffle the deck and deal 12 cards to each of the three players.

2. The dealer keeps 13 cards and starts the game.

3. Place the remaining deck in the center to form the draw pile.

4. Turn the top card of the draw pile face-up to start the discard pile.

How to Play

When playing Togits, each turn has three steps:

1. Draw a card – You may pick the top card from the draw pile or the top card from the discard pile.

2. Meld (if possible) – You can place any sets or runs face-up in front of you. A set is three or four cards of the same number but different suits (e.g., 7♣ 7♦ 7♠), and a run is three or more cards in a sequence of the same suit (e.g., 4♠ 5♠ 6♠).

3. Discard one card – Place one card on the discard pile to end your turn.

Special Rules

• You can also add to other players’ melds on your turn. For example, if another player has laid down 5♣ 6♣ 7♣, and you have 8♣, you can place your 8♣ next to it.

• Players who haven’t laid down any melds can’t challenge or call a draw.

• You can’t lay down all your cards in one turn and win immediately. You must always end your turn by discarding a card, unless you’re going Tongits.

Winning the Game

There are three ways to win:

1. Tongits – You win by getting rid of all your cards without being challenged. This ends the game right away.

2. Draw – When the draw pile is down to its last card, any player who has made a meld can call a draw. The others may choose to challenge.

3. Challenge – If someone calls a draw or goes Tongits, any player who has made a meld can challenge by counting the total points of their unplayed cards. The player with the fewest points wins.

In Tongits, the challenge is a key part of how the game ends and how a winner is decided—especially when no one goes out by Tongits (emptying their hand). A challenge can happen in two situations:

1. After a Draw is Called:
   If a player calls a draw because the draw pile is nearly empty, any other player who has already laid down at least one meld can challenge that draw.

2. After Someone Calls Tongits (Goes Out):
   If a player lays down all their cards and claims Tongits, another player who has laid melds may challenge the win if they believe they have fewer points left in their hand.

3. Only players who have laid down melds during the game are allowed to challenge.
   If a player never put any cards down, they are considered “burned” and cannot challenge or win.
4. During a challenge, each eligible player counts the total point value of the cards remaining in their hand.

How to Count Points

At the end of the game, count the value of cards left in your hand:

• Number cards: face value (2 through 10)

• Face cards (J, Q, K): 10 points each

• Aces: 1 point

The player with the lowest total wins the challenge.

Tips for Beginners

• Try to form melds early to avoid getting “burned.”

• Keep your eye on the discard pile.

• Save low-value cards if you think you might get stuck with them.

• Watch the other players’ melds—you might be able to add to them.

A Game for All Ages

Tongits is easy to learn and doesn’t require any special equipment. Whether you’re playing at a picnic, a family gathering, or just at home on a rainy afternoon, it’s a fun way to spend time together and sharpen your thinking skills.