Big Two (1980)

(While this game is sometimes called by the same name, it is not to be confused with Chinese Poker.)

This is a climbing game known by many names throughout the world (Choh Dai Di, Chinese Poker, etc.). Each player starts with a hand of cards and the object is to be the first to get rid of all your cards by playing combinations. The game consists of playing combinations of cards: single cards, pairs, three of a kind, and traditional poker hands (straights, flushes, etc.). When a player plays a combination, only a combination of that type can beat it - you must play a pair to beat a pair for instance. Big Two has a sizable luck element but there is room for skillful play as the players learn how to best manage the cards they are dealt. Best with four players, but still fun with two and three.

Gang of Four is a commercial version of Big Two, with a modified deck (three suits and various wildcards).
Lexio is a commercial version of Big Two, with Mahjong-like tiles instead of cards, and money chips. It supports 3 to 5 players.

Online Play

• http://www.mog4u.com/bigdeuce.aspx
• http://playnetbig2.homestead.com/ (private online play)