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Download on Google Play- 3 players, 54-card deck (52 cards + 2 jokers).
- Deal 17 cards each. Set 3 aside for the Landlord.
- Bid for the Landlord role; winner takes the 3 extra cards.
- Play a valid card combination (solo, pair, chain, bomb, etc.).
- Next player must beat it with the same type at higher rank, or pass.
- Two consecutive passes return the lead to the last player who played.
- Base stake equals the Landlord's bid. Bombs double the stake.
- Landlord wins: each Peasant pays. Peasant wins: Landlord pays both.
Rules
Dou Dizhu (meaning 'Fight the Landlord') is the most popular card game in China, played by hundreds of millions of people both in person and online. It is a three-player climbing game where two Peasants team up against one Landlord, who has the advantage of extra cards. The game combines hand management, partnership play, and rapid card combination strategies.
Objective
The Landlord tries to play all their cards first. The two Peasants win if either of them empties their hand before the Landlord does.
Setup
- Players: Exactly 3 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck plus 2 jokers (54 cards total).
- Deal: Deal 17 cards to each player. The remaining 3 cards are set aside face-down.
- Bidding: Players bid for the Landlord role (0, 1, 2, or 3 points). The highest bidder becomes the Landlord and picks up the 3 extra cards, giving them 20 cards total.
Gameplay
- Card ranking: Colored Joker (highest), Black Joker, 2, A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 (lowest).
- Leading: The Landlord plays first. They may play any valid combination.
- Following: The next player must play the same type of combination at a higher rank, or pass.
- Valid combinations: Solo card, pair, trio, trio with a kicker (solo or pair), chain (5+ consecutive singles), pair chain (3+ consecutive pairs), airplane (2+ consecutive trios, with or without kickers), and bomb (four of a kind or both jokers).
- Bombs: A bomb (four of a kind) or rocket (both jokers) can beat any non-bomb combination. A higher bomb beats a lower bomb. The rocket beats all bombs.
- Winning the round: When two consecutive players pass, the last player who played leads a new combination.
Scoring
- The base stake is determined by the Landlord's bid (1, 2, or 3).
- Each bomb or rocket played during the round doubles the stake.
- If the Landlord wins, each Peasant pays the Landlord the final stake. If a Peasant wins, the Landlord pays each Peasant.
- Spring bonus: If the Landlord plays all cards without either Peasant playing a single card, the stake doubles. Reverse spring works the same if the Landlord never gets to play after the opening.
Variations
- Four-Player Dou Dizhu: One player sits out each round or two players form the Landlord team.
- Happy Dou Dizhu: Additional bonuses for special card combinations in the initial hand.
- Laizi Dou Dizhu: Designated wild cards (laizi) that can substitute for any card in combinations.
Tips and Strategies
- As the Landlord, lead with your strongest chains and combos to seize control early.
- As a Peasant, coordinate with your partner. Save bombs to stop the Landlord at critical moments.
- Count cards carefully, especially 2s and jokers, as they determine who controls the endgame.
Tips & Strategy
As the Landlord, lead aggressively with chains and trios to maintain tempo. As Peasants, cooperate by saving your power cards to interrupt the Landlord's runs. Always track the remaining 2s and jokers.
The key to Dou Dizhu is tempo control. The Landlord must shed cards in efficient combos before the Peasants can coordinate. Peasants should communicate through their plays, sacrificing individual cards to help their partner gain the lead.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Dou Dizhu is estimated to have over 500 million active players in China, making it one of the most played card games on Earth. Chinese mobile gaming platforms host Dou Dizhu tournaments with millions of concurrent players.
What does 'Dou Dizhu' literally mean in Chinese, and how many cards does the Landlord hold after picking up the reserve?
History & Culture
Dou Dizhu emerged in the Hubei province of China in the 1960s or 1970s. Its name, 'Fight the Landlord,' reflects the social themes of that era. It exploded in popularity with the rise of online gaming platforms in China during the 2000s.
Dou Dizhu is a defining part of modern Chinese card game culture. It bridges generations and social classes, played in living rooms, tea houses, and on smartphones across the country. Its theme of cooperation against a powerful opponent resonates deeply.
Variations & House Rules
Four-Player Dou Dizhu adds a rotating sit-out or team Landlord option. Happy Dou Dizhu rewards rare starting hand combinations. Laizi Dou Dizhu introduces wild cards that can complete any combination.
Adjust the bidding range to control game intensity. Use play chips for scoring rather than tracking points. For beginners, remove the bomb-doubling rule to simplify scoring.
