Phỏm (also known as Tá lả or Tứ lơ khơ) is a popular Vietnamese card game, especially in the north. The names "Phỏm" and "Tá lả" reflect regional variations. The goal is to meld cards into sets called "Phỏm" and minimize the point value of remaining unmatched cards. Using a standard 52-card deck and diverse strategies, Phỏm offers engaging gameplay, making it a favorite for family and social gatherings.
Key Terms:
- Phỏm: A set of three or more cards of the same suit and consecutive rank, or three or more cards of the same rank.
- Junk cards: Unmatched cards not part of a Phỏm.
- Ù: Winning by melding all cards into Phỏm (no junk cards).
- Stomach (Đề): The remaining undealt cards.
- Móm: Unable to meld any Phỏm at the end of the game.
- Take the pin (Ăn cọc): Taking an opponent's discarded card in the final round.
- Send (Chốt): Discarding a card that completes an opponent's Phỏm in the final round (this card is not counted against the player).
- Compensation (Bù): A player who takes an opponent's discarded card in the final round must compensate the opponent if another player subsequently wins with Ù. Three consecutive cards also trigger compensation.
- Re (Rê): After discarding, if another player plays a card, the discarded cards are returned to the player, granting an extra turn.
Gameplay:
- Players: 2-4 players. The dealer (or previous round winner) receives 10 cards; others receive 9. Remaining cards form the "Stomach."
- Turns: Play proceeds counter-clockwise, starting with the dealer.
- Playing: The first player discards a card. Subsequent players can either take the card to complete a Phỏm or draw from the Stomach. After melding or drawing, a card is discarded. This continues until a player wins with Ù or the round ends after four turns.
- Final Round: Players must meld all possible Phỏm, send cards, and then discard their final card. Remaining junk cards determine the score.
- Scoring (when no player achieves Ù): The player with the lowest score wins. A, J, Q, K are 1, 11, 12, 13 respectively. Other cards are face value. Ties are broken by who discarded their cards first.
Final Score Calculation:
- 1st Place: +6 points
- 2nd Place: -1 point
- 3rd Place: -2 points
- 4th Place: -3 points
- Taking the pin: +4 points
- Having the pin taken: -4 points
- Ù: +15 points (other players lose 5 points each)
- Móm: -4 points for the winner.
Note: Phỏm is purely for entertainment; no monetary transactions are involved. Contact [email protected] for support.
This game is part of a series of online card games, including Tiến lên Miền Nam, Poker, Mậu binh, and other variations of Tiến lên.
Version 737.4 Update (July 18, 2024):
- Reduced game size.
- Fixed account freezing bug.
