How to play Tiến Lên (Thirteen)
Tiến Lên, which means “go forward”, is the card game every Vietnamese family plays at Tết. Four players get 13 cards each. Take turns beating the last play with something higher, and be the first to empty your hand.
Card order
Ranks, lowest to highest: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2. The 2 is the highest card in the game.
Suits, lowest to highest, break ties between cards of the same rank: ♠ spades, ♣ clubs, ♦ diamonds, ♥ hearts. So the 3♠ is the lowest card and the 2♥ is the highest.
What you can play
| Combination | Example |
|---|---|
| Single (lẻ) | 9♦ |
| Pair (đôi) | 9♠ 9♥ |
| Triple (sám) | 9♠ 9♣ 9♥ |
| Four of a kind (tứ quý) | 9♠ 9♣ 9♦ 9♥ |
| Straight (sảnh) | Three or more in a row, like 5 6 7 or 9 10 J Q K. A 2 can never be in a straight. |
| Double straight (đôi thông) | Three or more pairs in a row, like 5 5 6 6 7 7 |
How a game goes
- In the first game, whoever holds the 3♠ starts, and their first play must include it. In later games the previous winner starts.
- The leader plays any combination. Going around the table, each player must beat it with the same kind and the same number of cards, but higher (a higher pair on a pair, a higher five-card straight on a five-card straight), or pass.
- A higher combination is decided by its top card, using rank and then suit.
- Once you pass, you sit out the rest of that round. When everyone else has passed, the last player to play clears the table and leads again with anything.
- The first player to play all their cards finishes 1st; play continues until 2nd, 3rd and last are decided.
Bombs: chopping a 2 (chặt heo)
A 2 is called a heo (pig). Normally nothing beats a 2 except a higher 2, but some combinations can chop it on your turn:
- A single 2 can be chopped by four of a kind, or by a double straight of three or more pairs.
- A pair of 2s can be chopped by a double straight of four or more pairs.
- Bombs can chop each other too (chặt chồng): a higher four of a kind or a longer double straight beats a lower one, and four of a kind beats a three-pair double straight.
Instant wins (tới trắng)
Some hands win the game the moment they’re dealt:
- Dragon: a straight from 3 all the way to Ace
- Four 2s
- Six pairs
Scoring a match on FaceOff
A match is five games. Each game scores by finishing place:
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 points | 2 points | 1 point | 0 points |
The best total after five games wins the match. Ties share the win.
Tips for new players
- Get rid of low, awkward single cards early, while others are still playing low.
- Keep your 2s and bombs for the end; they win the rounds that matter.
- Watch how many cards each player has left: when someone is down to one or two, don’t let them lead.
Play against three AI players, or open a table and send the link to friends. Tiến Lên on FaceOff is played with your phone sideways.