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Download on Google Play- 2-8 players use a 40 or 48-card deck.
- Deal 7 cards to each player.
- Place remaining cards as stock with one card starting the discard pile.
- Draw one card from the stock or discard pile.
- Organize hand into sets (same rank) or runs (consecutive same suit).
- Discard one card to end your turn.
- Go out when all 7 cards form valid combinations.
- Unmatched cards count face value as penalty points.
- Chinchon (seven-card same-suit run) scores negative 10 points.
- Exceeding 100 penalty points eliminates you.
Rules
Chinchon is a popular rummy-style card game played throughout Spain and Latin America. Players draw and discard to form matched sets and runs, aiming to go out with the lowest possible deadwood. Its simple rules and fast pace make it a favorite for casual gatherings.
Objective
Arrange your hand into valid combinations of sets (same rank) and runs (consecutive same suit) to minimize the point value of unmatched cards. The first player to exceed the penalty limit is eliminated.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 8 players.
- Deck: Standard 40 or 48-card Spanish deck, or a 52-card deck depending on region.
- Deal: Each player receives 7 cards.
- Stock and discard: Remaining cards form the stock pile. The top card is turned up to start the discard pile.
Gameplay
- Drawing: On your turn, draw one card from either the stock or the discard pile.
- Forming combinations: Organize your hand into sets of three or four cards of the same rank, or runs of three or more consecutive cards in the same suit.
- Discarding: End your turn by discarding one card to the discard pile.
- Going out: When you can form all seven cards into valid combinations with one discard, you close the round.
Scoring
- Unmatched cards: Each unmatched card counts its face value as penalty points.
- Chinchon: Going out with all seven cards in a single run of the same suit scores negative 10 points (a huge bonus).
- Elimination: Players who exceed 100 penalty points are eliminated from the game.
Variations
- Chinchon with wildcards: Jokers or specific cards serve as wild cards that can substitute for any card in a combination.
- Argentine Chinchon: Uses a 48-card deck and slightly different scoring thresholds.
Tips and Strategies
- Go out quickly when your deadwood is low rather than waiting for a perfect hand. Speed reduces the risk of opponents catching you with unmatched cards.
- Watch what opponents pick from the discard pile to understand what combinations they are building.
Tips & Strategy
Balance the desire for a perfect Chinchon with the practical need to go out quickly. An early close with low deadwood is often better than chasing the elusive seven-card run.
The discard pile is a goldmine of information. Tracking what opponents take tells you their strategy, and choosing your own discards carefully avoids feeding their combinations.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Achieving an actual Chinchon (a seven-card same-suit run) is so rare that some groups treat it as an instant game-winning achievement rather than just a round bonus.
What is a 'Chinchon' in the card game of the same name?
History & Culture
Chinchon is named after the Spanish town of Chinchon and has been a staple of Spanish-speaking card culture for generations. It spread to Latin America where it developed numerous regional variations.
Chinchon is a social institution across the Spanish-speaking world, played at family gatherings, holiday celebrations, and neighborhood bars. It is often the first card game children learn in these cultures.
Variations & House Rules
Argentine Chinchon uses a larger deck and has different elimination thresholds. Adding wildcards makes the game easier and increases the frequency of dramatic hands.
Adjust the elimination threshold above or below 100 points to change the game's length. Some groups allow players who are eliminated to buy back in once.
