Tongits is a captivating card game that has captured the hearts of many in the Philippines. Known for its mix of strategy, quick thinking, and a bit of luck, Tongits offers an engaging experience for players of all ages. This guide will walk you through the basics of how to play Tongits, ensuring you’re ready to join in on the fun.
What is Tongits Pinoy Game?
Tongits is a very popular three-player card game in the Philippines. It is popular in the northern region of the Philippines (Luzon, Pangasinan, Ilocos) and has quickly spread across the country. It has similarities to the American card game Tonk and the classic rummy game. It has exploded in popularity across the Philippines due to its fast-paced, interactive, and family-friendly nature.
With the rise of smartphones and online gaming, Tongits has evolved into a digital sensation. Platforms like BingoPlus, GameZone, and Tongits Go have introduced online versions, attracting not just local players but also Filipino communities worldwide, making it a truly “dual-platform” game (online and offline).
Culturally, Tongits is closely tied to Filipino values such as pakikisama (harmonious relationships), diskarte (resourcefulness and strategy), and tiyaga (patience). The game’s lively atmosphere is amplified by verbal interactions such as shouting “Sapaw!” or “Draw!”
Tongits Game Objectives
The main goal of Tongits is to minimize unmatched cards in your hand or to be the first player to “meld” all your cards by forming valid sets or runs. The game requires strategic thinking — players must decide when to hold high-value cards and when to discard them.
Tongits Basic Equipment & Players
- 3 players
- 1 standard 52-card deck (Jokers removed)
- Optional: Chips, coins, a score sheet, or a mobile score-tracking app
- A table or flat surface for card placement
Tongits Step-by-Step Gameplay
Below is a standard guide to playing the classic 3-player Tongits:
1. Determining the Dealer
For the first game, the dealer can be chosen randomly, such as by rolling dice (highest roll wins) or by drawing high cards. For subsequent rounds, the winner of the previous game becomes the next dealer.
2. Shuffling and Cutting the Deck
Tongits does not use Jokers, so the dealer first removes them from the deck. The dealer shuffles the cards thoroughly, and the player on their right is allowed to cut the deck, following traditional card game etiquette.
3. Dealing the Cards
The dealer deals 13 cards to themselves and 12 cards to each of the other two players. The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table to form the stock pile.
4. Starting the Game
The dealer begins by drawing one card from the stock pile and may immediately lay down any valid sets or runs (face up) on the table. This marks the end of the dealer’s first turn.
5. Taking Turns Game
After the dealer ends his turn, the players counterclockwise from the dealer start drawing cards and playing. Players can choose between two game modes based on their strategy and existing cards:
Mode 1: Meld
After drawing a card, check your hand to see if it has any of the following valid sets:
- Set: 3 or 4 cards of the same rank (e.g., K♣ K♥ K♦).
- Run: 3+ consecutive cards in the same suit (e.g., 6♠ 7♠ 8♠).
If there are any, place them face up in front of you.
Mode 2: Sapaw
Use the melds that other players have played to add one or more cards to form new melds during your turn, for example:
- Another player showed 8♣ 8♦ 8♥; you hold 8♠ → add it to complete 4 of a kind.
- Table shows 7♥ 8♥ 9♥; you can extend with 6♥ and/or 10♥.
This is called Sapaw (also “lay off”) and is a key way to unload cards and lower your point total.
6. End player’s turn
After all melds and Sapaw plays you wish to make, discard 1 card face up to the discard pile. Your turn ends. The next player acts.
7. The game ends with a winner
If the game progresses to the point where the first player manages to play all of his cards before the deck runs out and shouts “Tongits!” during his turn, that player becomes the winner immediately.
Other ways to win the game
The round doesn’t always end with someone shouting Tongits. These additional end‑conditions matter—especially in money or points play.
Player Call a Draw
You may declare “Draw!” at the start of your turn, before drawing a card, if you believe you have the lowest total deadwood (unmatched) points.
Basic Draw Rules:
- You must already have opened (laid down at least one meld) earlier in the round.
- No one may have added (Sapaw) to your melds since your last turn; if they did, you must wait until your next turn to Draw.
- After you call Draw, each opponent chooses to Fold (concede) or Challenge.
- If all opponents Fold → you win immediately.
- If at least one Challenges → all eligible players reveal cards and count unmatched points. Lowest total wins.
- Tie-break is table-dependent; a common rule: the Challenger wins ties.
- Players who have never melded (Burned/Sunog) cannot challenge your Draw.
Challenge
If someone calls Draw and you think your deadwood total is lower, say “Challenge!” Reveal hands and compare totals. Lowest wins. If tied under many rules, challenger wins the tie; confirm before play.
Stock Exhaustion
When the last card of the stock pile is drawn, the game ends, and all players tally their unmatched cards. The lowest score wins. A player who never melded any cards is considered “burned” and cannot win.
Tongits Card Values and Scoring
| Card | Points | Notes |
| A | 1 | typically A = 1 point. |
| 2–10 | face value | The card number equals its points. |
| J/Q/K | 10 | It’s best to discard these early unless they’re part of a meld. |
Tips for Beginners
- Discard high-point cards (K/Q/J/10) early to reduce risk.
- Keep your total points low in case of a Draw or Challenge.
- Watch other players’ melds carefully — you may have cards to add to them.
- Sometimes it’s better to hold cards that can complete a set, baiting others into laying down theirs before you unload multiple cards in one turn.
Playing Real Money Tongits Online
When playing real-money Tongits online, ensure you understand the difference between “real cash,” “virtual credits,” and “entertainment points.” Always review platform terms and comply with local regulations such as those of PAGCOR.
BingoPlus
BingoPlus – A PAGCOR-licensed platform offering Tongits alongside other Filipino games. Some online rooms may have slightly different dealing rules (e.g., Dealer 14 cards, others 13). If you want to start winning real money Tongits, then BingoPlus must be your first choice
GameZone
GameZone – Focuses on preserving traditional Filipino card games like Tongits and Pusoy, featuring real-time matchmaking, chat functions, and reward systems.
Tongits Go
Tongits Go – One of the most downloaded mobile apps in the Philippines, offering various Tongits and Pusoy modes. Note: This app is for entertainment only, uses virtual currency, and is not PAGCOR-licensed. Be cautious before purchasing in-app items.
FAQs
The standard version of Tongits is played with 3 players and a standard deck of 52 cards (without Jokers).
During your turn, add cards to any revealed combination (to make up a fourth card or extend a straight) to discard cards and block a Draw.
Before you draw a card in your turn, and you have already opened your cards and no one has sapaw your combination since the last turn; otherwise, wait for the next turn.
Yes, Tongits shares similarities with Rummy and Tonk, as it involves forming sets, sequences, and reducing dead cards.
Most traditional materials consider this to be low (A-2-3); however, many modern/online tutorials allow A high or low (Q-K-A / A-2-3), and no circles; explain this before playing.
Tongits are legal if played on a real money gaming platform licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), such as BingoPlus. Always check if the platform is compliant.