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Dou Dizhu is one of the most popular card games in China, often played in homes, tea houses, and online platforms. It is a fast-paced climbing game that works best with three or four players. Even though the number of players changes some rules, the main goal is always the same: be the first to get rid of all your cards.
The game is exciting because players are split into two sides. One player becomes the landlord, while the others team up to stop the landlord from winning. Every round creates new challenges, and no two games feel the same.
Setup of the Game
- For 3 players: Use one standard 52-card deck with one red and one black joker.
- For 4 players: Use two full decks along with two red jokers and two black jokers.
The dealer is chosen randomly and changes every round, moving anticlockwise. After shuffling, the dealer shows one card face-up in the middle. Whoever picks this card gets the first chance to bid in the auction.
- Each player receives 17 cards in a 3-player game.
- Each player receives 25 cards in a 4-player game.
- The leftover cards (3 in a 3-player game, 8 in a 4-player game) are kept aside for the landlord.
Card Ranking
In Dou Dizhu, suits do not matter. Only card numbers and jokers matter. The rank order is:
Red Joker (highest), Black Joker, 2, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 (lowest).
Auction and Becoming the Landlord
After cards are dealt, the bidding starts. The player with the face-up card bids first.
- Players can either pass or bid 1, 2, or 3.
- Each bid must be higher than the previous one.
- If no one bids, the cards are reshuffled.
- The highest bidder becomes the landlord and takes the extra cards set aside.
The landlord plays alone, while the other two or three players form the opposing team.
How the Game is Played
The landlord makes the first move. A move can be a single card or a valid combination. Each following player must either:
- Play a higher combination of the same type, or
- Pass and wait for the next chance.
The round continues anticlockwise until everyone passes except one player. The winner of that round starts the next play.
The key is to combine cards wisely. There are 13 possible combinations, such as:
- Single cards
- Pairs (two of the same rank)
- Triplets (three of the same rank)
- Sequences (five or more consecutive cards, excluding 2s and jokers)
- Bombs (four or more of the same rank, stronger than most plays)
- Rocket (all jokers together, the unbeatable combination)
Some advanced combinations include triplets with extra cards, quadplex sets, and long sequences. These rules may differ slightly in 4-player games.
Payments and Scoring
The round ends when one player uses up all their cards.
- If the landlord wins, they receive the payment from each other player based on the auction bid (1, 2, or 3).
- If the landlord loses, they must pay the same amount to each opponent.
Bombs and rockets zake the game riskier because they double the payment. In 4-player games, only rockets and bombs with six or more cards cause doubling.
Ending the Game
There’s no fixed end. Players can stop whenever they want. If you want to declare an overall winner, count the money (or points) each player has won. The one with the most is the champion.
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