When I first discovered Tongits, I was immediately drawn to its unique blend of strategy and chance—a card game that’s as much about reading your opponents as it is about forming winning combinations. It’s a staple in Filipino households, and learning it felt like unlocking a cultural treasure. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate how Tongits rewards patience, observation, and a bit of calculated risk-taking. But let’s be honest: like any game, it has its quirks, and sometimes the mechanics can feel a little unforgiving for newcomers. That’s why I’ve put together this step-by-step guide, drawing from my own experiences and even borrowing insights from other games to highlight what makes Tongits so engaging—and occasionally frustrating.

To start, Tongits is typically played by three people using a standard 52-card deck, and the goal is straightforward: form sets of three or four cards of the same rank, or sequences of three or more cards in the same suit. But here’s where it gets interesting—unlike in some other card games, you can “knock” to end a round if you believe your hand is strong enough, adding a layer of psychological tension. I remember my early games, where I’d often knock too soon, only to realize my opponents had better combinations. It’s a mistake I see many beginners make, and it’s something I’ll help you avoid. Now, you might wonder why I’m mentioning a completely different game, like Backyard Baseball '97, in a Tongits guide. Well, it’s because both games share a common thread: they don’t always prioritize user-friendly updates. In Backyard Baseball '97, for instance, one of its most notorious exploits was how easily you could trick CPU baserunners into advancing when they shouldn’t—say, by throwing the ball between infielders instead of to the pitcher. This lack of refinement is something I’ve noticed in Tongits too; the rules can feel a bit rigid, and if you’re not careful, you might miss subtle opportunities to outmaneuver opponents. In Tongits, for example, I’ve seen players get stuck because they focus too much on building sequences and ignore the power of discarding strategically to force errors.

Moving on to the basics, let’s talk setup. Shuffle the deck and deal 12 cards to each player, with the remaining cards forming a draw pile. The first player draws a card and can choose to knock if their deadwood points—the total value of ungrouped cards—are low enough, say under 10 points. If not, they discard one card to start the discard pile. I can’t stress enough how important it is to pay attention to what others discard; it’s like piecing together a puzzle. In my first few months playing, I’d estimate that I lost about 60% of my games simply because I wasn’t tracking discards closely. Over time, I developed a habit of noting patterns—if someone discards a lot of high cards, they’re probably close to knocking, and you should adjust your strategy accordingly. This is where Tongits reminds me of that Backyard Baseball example: just as CPU players misjudge opportunities, beginners in Tongits often misread the discard pile, leading to costly mistakes. I’ve had games where I intentionally held onto a card I didn’t need, just to see if an opponent would take the bait and change their play—and it worked more times than I’d like to admit.

As you progress, remember that Tongits isn’t just about luck; it’s about adapting. For instance, if you’re holding a mix of high and low cards, try to form sets early to minimize deadwood. Aces are worth 1 point, face cards 10 points, and others their face value, so keeping your deadwood under 5 points is ideal. I’ve found that in a typical 30-minute game, the player who knocks with the lowest deadwood wins about 70% of the time, based on my casual tracking. But don’t get too fixated on numbers—sometimes, the social aspect is what makes it fun. I’ve had hilarious moments where a friend thought they had a winning hand, only to be blindsided by a surprise knock. It’s these unpredictable elements that keep me coming back, even if the game could use some modern tweaks, like clearer scoring rules for new players. In the end, Tongits is a game of wits and warmth, and with practice, you’ll not only improve your skills but also create lasting memories. So grab a deck, gather some friends, and dive in—you might just find yourself hooked, just like I did.