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- Place chips on each board section.
- Deal the full deck plus one extra hand set aside.
- Check your hand for hearts bonus cards.
- Collect hearts pools if you hold the matching cards.
- Compare poker hands for the poker pool.
- Play ascending sequences by suit in the stops phase.
- Collect pools from hearts and poker phases.
- Stops winner gets the Kitty plus one chip per card left in opponents' hands.
Rules
Tripoli is a classic board and card game that combines three phases of play: a hearts collection phase, a poker phase, and a Michigan Rummy stops phase. Players place chips on labeled sections of the board and try to win them through each phase.
Objective
Win the most chips by collecting bonus pools during the hearts phase, winning the poker phase, and playing out cards first during the stops phase.
Setup
- Players: 3 to 7 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Each player places chips on the board sections (King of Hearts, Queen of Hearts, Jack of Hearts, 10 of Hearts, Poker, Kitty). Deal the entire deck, including one extra hand that is set aside.
Gameplay
- Step 1: Hearts Phase: Any player holding the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, or 10 of Hearts collects the corresponding chip pool from the board.
- Step 2: Poker Phase: Each player uses their best 5-card poker hand from the cards dealt. The best poker hand wins the poker pool.
- Step 3: Stops Phase: Starting with the player left of the dealer, play cards in ascending sequence by suit. When no one can continue a sequence, the last player to play starts a new sequence with their lowest card in the opposite color.
- Step 4: The first player to play all their cards wins the stops phase and collects one chip per card remaining in each opponent's hand, plus the Kitty pool.
Scoring
- Players collect chips from board pools during the Hearts and Poker phases.
- The stops phase winner collects the Kitty plus one chip per remaining card in opponents' hands. Unclaimed pools carry over to the next round.
Variations
- No-Poker Tripoli: Skip the poker phase for a faster two-phase game.
- Auction Kitty: Before the stops phase, players may bid chips to swap their hand with the extra dealt hand.
Tips and Strategies
- Pay attention to which hearts bonus cards you hold so you can collect pools immediately.
- In the poker phase, remember you cannot rearrange cards, so evaluate your hand carefully.
- During the stops phase, lead with cards that create sequences only you can continue.
Tips & Strategy
Focus on the stops phase as it usually yields the most chips. Hold onto cards that let you control sequences and block opponents.
Winning the stops phase is often the most profitable. Try to lead sequences you can run long on, and avoid starting sequences that benefit other players.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Tripoli boards often feature a distinctive rotating tray with labeled compartments, making it a popular family game set piece.
What three phases make up a round of Tripoli?
History & Culture
Tripoli has roots in the 18th-century game of Poch, which similarly combined betting, hand comparison, and card shedding on a special board.
Tripoli, also known as Royal Rummy or Michigan Rummy, has been a staple of North American family game nights since the mid-20th century.
Variations & House Rules
No-Poker Tripoli simplifies the game by removing the poker phase. The Auction Kitty variant adds a bidding element to swap hands before the stops phase.
Adjust the chip ante amounts for each pool to change the stakes, or use play money instead of chips for a family-friendly version.
