Get the full experience in CardRules+
300+ games with text-to-speech, game night planner, quick reference cards, and offline access.
Download on Google Play- Deal 4 cards to each player.
- Place 4 cards face up on the table.
- Redeal 4 cards when hands are empty.
- Play one card from your hand.
- Capture a table card if the two sum to 10, or match face cards by rank.
- Trail your card if no capture is possible.
- 30 points for red card majority.
- 3 points per Ace, 2 points per 10, J, Q, or K.
Rules
Chinese Ten is a fishing card game from China where players capture table cards by pairing them with cards that sum to 10. It is simple to learn and popular among families and casual players.
Objective
Capture the most cards by playing cards that combine with table cards to total 10. Face cards and tens are captured by matching their own kind.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 4 players.
- Deck: A standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 4 cards to each player and place 4 cards face up on the table. Continue dealing 4 cards at a time when hands run out.
Gameplay
- Step 1: On your turn, play one card from your hand.
- Step 2: If your card and a table card sum to exactly 10 (for example, a 3 captures a 7), take both cards.
- Step 3: Tens capture tens, Jacks capture Jacks, Queens capture Queens, and Kings capture Kings by matching.
- Step 4: If no capture is possible, leave your card face up on the table. After all hands are played, deal 4 more cards each until the deck is exhausted.
Scoring
- 30 points for the player who captures the most red cards (hearts and diamonds).
- 3 points for each captured Ace.
- 2 points for each captured 10, Jack, Queen, or King.
- Games are usually played over multiple rounds with a cumulative target score.
Variations
- Chinese Ten with Trumps: Designate a trump suit each round, with trump cards being worth double points.
- Simplified Chinese Ten: Only count the number of captured cards, with the most cards winning, making it easier for beginners.
Tips and Strategies
- Prioritize capturing red cards since the 30-point majority bonus is the biggest scoring element.
- Hold onto cards that pair well with likely table cards rather than trailing them early.
- Remember that Aces are worth 3 points each, making them high-priority captures.
Tips & Strategy
Focus on red cards for the big 30-point majority bonus. Aces are each worth 3 points, so capture them whenever you can.
Since the red card majority bonus dominates the scoring, experienced players focus almost exclusively on capturing hearts and diamonds early. Managing which cards you trail is also important to avoid feeding opponents.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Despite its name emphasizing ten, the number 10 is just one of the capture targets, as most captures involve other pairs of numbers that sum to 10.
In Chinese Ten, what value must two number cards add up to in order to capture each other?
History & Culture
Chinese Ten has been played for generations across China, particularly in southern regions. It is one of the most accessible fishing games, often taught to children as their first card game.
Chinese Ten is a popular family card game in China, often played during holidays and gatherings. It introduces children to card games and basic math in an entertaining way.
Variations & House Rules
Chinese Ten with Trumps adds a trump suit for double-value captures each round, while the simplified version just counts total captured cards.
For younger players, use only number cards (remove face cards) to keep the arithmetic straightforward. Increase the target score for a longer multi-round session.
