Phom, also known as Ta La, is one of the most popular traditional card games in Vietnam. This game requires not only luck but also observation, calculation, and strategy skills. Here is a detailed guide on how to play traditional Phom at sun win.
Overview of Phom card game
Number of players: 2 – 4 people.
Deck: Use a deck of 52 Western cards.
Objective: Capture your opponent’s cards, create phoms (triples or sequences) and minimize the score of the trash cards.
Phom card game rules
What is Phom?
Phom is a valid combination of cards, including:
Phom sequence: Three or more cards of consecutive value of the same suit (for example: 7♠, 8♠, 9♠).
Phom trio: Three cards of the same value (eg: 5♦, 5♠, 5♥).
Dealing cards
Each player is dealt 9 cards, except the dealer who receives 10 cards and has the right to play first.
The remaining cards are placed face down in the middle as the deck.
Playing order
Players take turns playing cards, each turn playing 1 trash card.
The next player has the right to take the trash card if it can form a phom or draw 1 card from the deck if it cannot be taken.
After eating or drawing a card, the player must play another card to maintain the number of cards in hand.
Laying down phom and sending cards
Lying down phom: When the game is almost over, the player must lay down all the phoms he has on the table.
Sending cards: If the cards in hand can be added to the phom of the person who laid down the cards before, you can send the cards to reduce the score.
End of the game
The game ends when a player “Wins” (all cards in hand form a phom, no more trash cards).
If no one “Wins”, after 4 rounds, all players will calculate points based on the trash cards.
How to calculate points in Phom
Card points: Cards from 2 to 10 keep their value. J, Q, K are counted as 11, 12, 13 points respectively.
Result: The person with the lowest score wins. If someone “Wins”, they are the winner.
Effective Phom playing tips
Observe and memorize cards
Remember the cards that have been played to guess your opponent’s cards and calculate the possibility of winning.
Hide phom
Don’t rush to reveal your phom. Keep your cards hidden to avoid your opponent “breaking your cards.”
Calculating points
In case you can’t “Win,” prioritize keeping cards with low scores to reduce the risk of losing.
Notes when playing traditional Phom
Playing space: Normally, Phom is played during family or friends gatherings. Maintain a cheerful and sociable spirit.
Financial management: If playing Phom with betting, there should be a limit to avoid financial risks.
Local rules: Some areas may have different ways of playing Phom, agree on the rules before starting.
Comparing Phom and Tien Len: Notable Differences
Phom and Tien Len are both popular card games in Vietnam, but each game has its own rules, objectives, and operations. Below are the notable differences between the two games so you can easily distinguish and choose the right experience.
Game Objectives
Phom:
The main objective of Phom is to create “phoms” (valid card combinations such as threes or sequences of the same suit) and minimize the points of the remaining trash cards in hand. The winner is the person with the lowest total card points or “U” (no more trash cards).
Tien Len:
In Tien Len, the goal is to get rid of all the cards in hand before other players. This game does not require combining cards into combinations, but only requires playing according to the rules of blocking cards and reasonable tactics.
Number of cards dealt
Phom:
Each player is dealt 9 cards, except for the dealer who is dealt 10 cards to start the first round.
Tien Len:
Each player is dealt 13 cards, using the entire deck of 52 cards for a maximum of 4 players.
How to play
Phom:
Each turn, a player puts 1 trash card on the table.
The next player can take the trash card to create a phom or draw a card from the deck if he doesn’t take it.
The game revolves around creating phom and managing trash cards.
Tien Len:
Players take turns playing cards in a round, each turn can play an odd card, pair, triple, or straight.
The next player must block with a card of higher value or skip their turn.
The game ends when a player plays all the cards in his hand.
Calculating scores
Phom:
Points are calculated based on the remaining trash cards after the phom is placed.
Cards 2 through 10 retain their value, J, Q, K are worth 11, 12, 13 points respectively.
The person with the lowest score wins, or the person who “U” wins immediately.
Tien Len:
No points are counted; the winner is the person who plays all their cards first. Rankings are determined based on the order in which they play all their cards.
The loser may “burn out” if he fails to play any cards during the game.
Conclusion
Phỏm sunwin is a game that is not only entertaining but also trains your tactical thinking skills. Understanding the rules and mastering the tips will help you enjoy the game more fully. Try it today to experience the appeal of Phom – a beautiful traditional Vietnamese entertainment culture!