It may be daunting to watch a tournament the first time, cards flying around, players yelling numbers, combinations just popping out of the blue. But the main laws are actually very easy to understand, if you break them down on a step-by-step basis. This guide will help you understand how to play Tongits as you play your first game, so you can get on a table with confidence.
Tongits is a rummy game, where you play with a regular 52 card deck, usually with 3 players. The goal is to get valid card combinations and to discard the first hand or the lowest hand if the draw pile is exhausted before the others.
The game of Tongits is best played with 3 players. You just need a regular deck of cards (or in online games, a device and internet connection to join a game).
A 52-card deck is shuffled and the game starts. A starting hand is dealt to each player and the order of the deal often alternates every round to prevent any one player from having a constant edge.
Once the cards have been dealt, the rest of the cards are in the middle, in a draw pile. This is the pile that the players will be taking from all round the game until someone wins or the pile becomes empty.
Three or more cards of the same value (e.g. KKK) is a set. One of the two ways to decrease the number of cards in your hand is with sets.
A run is a hand made up of three cards or more of the same suit, such as 4-5-6 Hearts. Runs are like sets, except that they are played down and the hand is reduced.
The ability to recognise set and run is the largest skill difference between the beginner and experienced player and should be done as early in the round as possible. The earlier you can work out your best combinations, the more efficient your play will be.
One player at a time, each player draws a card from the draw pile or (as per house rules) the discard pile to place in their hand.
You may place the hand you drew on the table, decreasing your hand size, if it is a possible set or a possible run.
No matter what turn it is, it will be concluded with a discard. Beginners tend to dispose of what looks like the least useful card without giving it a second thought while strategic players will look at what a discard may tell opponents about their hand.
If you make a legal discard, so that your hand is empty, you say "Tongits" and win the round. This is the quickest and most effective method of winning.
If the draw pile is used up before anyone empties their hand, the round ends by "Sabog" and the person with the lowest total card value wins.
Avoid getting into one particular combination too early in your first few turns. Being flexible will help you have more choices as the round unfolds.
One of the simplest beginner tips is to pay attention to what other players are discarding, you will know what they are probably not collecting and you should discard that.
New players often play with a weak hand and call for Tongits. Remember, it is better to wait another turn for a better position than an incomplete call.
Online Tongits eliminates much of the friction involved for novices, since they are not required to meet up three individuals in actual life and there are numerous online platforms that have casual matches specifically designed for learning about the ropes.
Beginners should ideally start playing casual matches before playing tournaments because tournaments are likely to have more advanced and competitive players.
While learning Tongits online, play on a platform with a certified random number generator (RNG) to ensure that every hand you receive is fair.
For a beginner, it is particularly important to set a time limit or a monetary limit before you begin playing, so that you can concentrate on learning the game itself and not the results.
Registration on OKBet requires several minutes only – you need to register, verify your account and you're all set to find a match that suits you as a beginner.
Once players are ready to take the leap from casual play, funding their accounts is an easy and speedy process, thanks to OKBet's several local deposit options, which are familiar to Filipino players.
The simplest approach is to dissect the game into four key sequence: Getting the deal, knowing what is a good set or run, playing the draw-lay down-discard sequence and knowing the two ways to end a round. Casual online games will also allow beginners to learn, without any pressure.
There is no set number; you win if you are able to empty your hand with legal hands (calling "Tongits") or if the draw pile is exhausted first (calling "Sabog") and you have the lowest card value.
For those new to online poker, there are plenty of websites that provide casual match types to get started without the pressure of wagering real money. You can see what match options are available by checking the current match options in-app.
The basic rules are easy to learn in one game, but it takes time to learn the strategy, such as hand management and being able to read opponents.
Yes, if you play on a PAGCOR-licensed site such as OKBet, which is registered under the Philippines' existing online gaming regulations.
