Shou Ba Yi

Shou Ba Yi is a trick taking game played with a standard deck of cards, which is very similar to Tichu and Chinese Poker.

• Components: Standard deck of 52 cards with both Jokers
• Card Values:
  • Cards have standard value between 3 to King
  • Ace is higher than King
  • “2” is higher than Ace
  • Jokers are higher than “2”
    • Designate 1 Joker as “Da Joker” (Big Joker) and the other as “Shao Joker” (Little Joker).
    • The Little Joker is higher than “2” and the Big Joker is higher than the Little Joker
• Set-up:
  • Shuffle and deal out all cards to the players
  • Player with the 3 of Hearts begins play on first round
  • Winner of last round begins play on subsequent rounds
• Goal:
  • Be the first player to play all your cards in a round
  • The first player to play all cards (go out) receives points equal to the number of cards (or Joker Penalty) remaining in each other player’s hand and each player with cards remaining loses points equal to the number of cards (or Joker Penalty) remaining in their hand. [Note: You will have negative scores.]
  • Joker Penalty:
    • Little Joker counts as 5 points
    • Big Joker counts as 10 points
  • You do not receive any points from players with a face down card (only one card remaining).
  • The first player to reach 50 points wins (or you can play to whatever score you like).
• Play:
  • Play proceeds with a player leading (the Lead) with one of the following to start a turn (or trick):
    • a single card, or
    • a pair of the same value of card (e.g., two 4s), or
    • three of the same value, plus one additional card (e.g., three Jacks plus a “3” as a throw away card), or
    • four of the same value, plus two additional cards (e.g., four Kings plus a “3” and “7” as a throw away cards), or
    • three consecutive pairs of the same value of card in numerical sequence (e.g., two 4s, two 5s and two 6s or two 9s, two 10s and two Jacks, etc.)
    • a Dragon, which must contain at least 5 cards in numerical sequence (it cannot contain a “2” or Joker)
    • a Bomb, which is four of the same value “without” any additional cards, can be played to beat (or trump) any other play (even the Big Joker) except a higher valued Bomb
  • After player leads with one of the above plays, the next player may play a higher valued play or pass
    • Example #1: If a player leads with two Jacks, the next player may play two Queens or higher or may pass.
    • Example #2: If a player leads with three 8s and a 6, the next player may play three 9s or higher plus any additional card or may pass.
    • Example #3: If a player leads with two 7s, two 8s and two 9s, the next player may play two 8s, two 9 and two 10s or higher or may pass.
    • Example #4: If a player leads with a 6 card Dragon (3-8), the next player may play a 6 card Dragon (4-9 or higher) or may pass. [Note: You must match the number of cards played, i.e., 5 card Dragon to 5 card Dragon, etc.]
  • Once a player passes, they can not get back into play on that turn or trick (even if you have cards that can beat the current play), however you can play the next turn (once a new Lead has been played)
  • One in the Hole:
    • Your last card play must be played alone (e.g., you cannot play a pair, three of kind, three sets, four of a kind or a Dragon on your last play).
    • Once you are down to your last card, you place it face down on the table so everyone knows you have one last card (you do not have to call out “Uno” or “Yi” or anything like that).
    • You can not hold a Joker as your last card.