The tonk card game, also known as tunk, knot, and Texas tonk, is a matching card game that combines the elements of conquian and rummy games. The game originated in the USA and was quite popular in the 1930s amongst jazz and blues musicians in Louisiana. It was played during the breaks in salons and bars. Tunk was also a popular pastime in the military barracks during lunch breaks.
Tonk is a relatively fast-paced game that can be played between two to four players. The game has numerous variations played by players from different regions. Therefore, if you know how to play Tonk card game, it’s wise to come to a mutual agreement on house rules. You can follow the below tunk card game rules and gameplay to breathe life into the game night without any clashes.
Rules of Tonk
The tunk card game rules to keep in mind while playing the game are as follows:
- The tonk card game is played between 2 to 4 players
- It is played using a standard 52-card deck + 2 jokers
- The objective is to score points or win money based on the agreed stake.
- Set the amount to be paid to the winner before the game starts.
- The game consists of several hands, and players take turns dealing cards.
- Wild cards can be used to substitute any card for making hands.
- The player with the best hand or the highest points at the end wins.
- Players aim to form specific card combinations or have the lowest deadwood points.
- Cards not part of a valid combination count as deadwood and affect the score.
- Winning hands can be achieved by forming valid combinations or by having the lowest deadwood points.
How To Play Tonk?
Here’s everything you must know about when it comes to how to play tonk card games. Even if you play tonk online, the standard rules remain the same.
Card Ranking
The cards in the trunk game are ranked in a high to low order as K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and A. However, the aces may rank high or low in the Hoyle types of rummy. In tunk, kings are high, aces low, and the 2s are wild cards.
Objective of Tunk
When you play the tonk card games, the objective is to form matching sets of three or four-of-a-kind groups or sequences of three or more same-suit cards. The goal is to get rid of the cards by grouping them into spreads. The first player to get rid of all the cards or the player with the least points at the end of the game is declared the winner.
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Deal
Before the game begins, a dealer is selected. Each player draws a card from a shuffled deck to choose the dealer, and the player that draws the lowest-value card becomes the dealer. The dealer then reshuffles the deck and deals seven cards to each player in a clockwise direction.
The remaining un-dealt cards form the stockpile and are placed at the center of the play area. The topmost card from the stock pile is turned and placed face-up next to the pile to form the discard pile. This card is also the up-card or the first card of the discard pile.
The deal passes to every player starting from the left of the dealer and new players should be seated on the dealer’s right.
Gameplay
Let’s understand how to play tonk. The play begins with the player seated at the dealer’s left and proceeds clockwise. Each player draws a card from the stockpile or the discard pile but must discard a card at the end of their turn. The players draw and discard cards to form spreads of sets and runs. Only the player at the left of the dealer can take the first upcard. If the player’s ungrouped cards count five or less, they can declare tunk or knock before discarding. That player then spreads the hand by separating the grouped and ungrouped cards.
Melding
Players must get rid of the cards and reduce the points in hand by melding them into sequences and sets. Grouping three or more cards of a kind is called a set, and grouping three or more cards of the same suit in a decreasing or increasing order is called a run.
A melded set of cards can have up to four cards of the same rank, including two natural cards (if there are jokers). For instance, J♦️ J ♠️ J ♥️ or 4♥️ 4♣️ 4♠️ 4♦️ form books. Players can also make a sequence with three or more cards of the same suit. For instance, A♦️ 2♦️ 3♦️ 4♦️is a run. The players get turns to draw or discard, meld cards, lay off on the tanker’s melds, and discard.
Going Out
A player goes out when they have melded all the cards in hand and gets rid of them. Every player gets one more turn to improve their hand, and the players evaluate their score after the end of the round.
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Winning Each Hand
- Getting rid of all your cards before anyone else lets you win the game. You do this by creating spreads and placing them on the table. You can also add your cards to other players’ spreads. If you empty your hand, you win the round instantly. This is called “going out” or declaring “Tonk.” The goal is to finish with no cards left.
- Another way to win in Tonk is by dropping. This means you believe you have the lowest total points in your hand. After drawing a card, you can announce you are dropping. Everyone shows their cards and the player with the lowest total wins. If someone has fewer points than you, you lose. Dropping is a strategic move to win early if you think your hand is better than the others.
- If the stockpile runs out before anyone wins by spreading or dropping, the game ends. At this point, all players lay their cards on the table. Add up the value of the cards left in your hand where number cards are worth their face value, face cards are worth 10 points, and Aces are worth 1 point. The player with the lowest total wins. They collect the basic stakes from the other players. If you have the highest total, you pay out.
Scoring
Each card in the trunk game is worth the following points:
- Face cards are worth 10 points.
- Aces are worth 1 point.
- Numbered cards are worth the face value. For instance, 4s are worth four points, and 9s are worth nine points.
- If jokers are added to the deck, they are worth zero points and can’t be used in spreads.
The points of the ungrouped cards in each player’s hand are counted at every turn. When players reach 100 points, they are automatically out of the game. The game continues until only one player remains, and that player wins the game. If the stock runs out, the hands are dealt, and there is no score.
If any player scores 49 to 50 points in the initial hand, they must declare ‘Tonk’ right away and show the cards. In such cases, the other players pay double the stake immediately to the player.
If more than one player declares a ‘Tonk,’ the hand is a draw, and no payments are made to the players. The cards are thrown in in such instances, and the next player shuffles the cards to deal.
What is a Spread in Tonk?
In Tonk, a spread is a group of three or more cards that you place face-up on the table to help you get rid of your cards. There are two types of spreads.
Runs – Three or more cards in a row from the same suit, such as 4♣, 5♣, 6♣, make a run.
Books – Three or more cards of the same rank but different suits like three 9s make books.
Spreads help you reduce the number of cards in your hand. You can also add to other players’ spreads to get rid of your cards faster.
Tonk Card Game Variations
Now that you are aware of the tonk card game rules, let’s unpack some of its variations.
In some variations of the tonk game, there is no discard pile formed after the deal. The first player to begin the game draws the card from the stockpile, and the discard pile is formed with the first card they discard.
Further, holding a spread is not permitted in the game, and all spreads must be placed down on the table. As an exception, a player may hold three aces in hand.
Players can also win a double stake if they can make a second spread and get rid of the cards in hand without discarding them. However, they only win a single stake by hitting spreads and getting rid of cards without discarding them.
In some variations, the hand is dead if the stockpile runs out and no payments are made.
Some game rules include that if a player is hit more than once in the same round, they have to wait for their turn to play. Other variations to this rule include many waiting rounds. For instance, if a player is hit, they must wait for three rounds instead of one. In some, being hit stops the players from going out low and prevents them from winning by getting rid of all their cards in the next turn.
In some variations, if a player is dealt a hand of 15 points or less, they must declare immediately and are paid a double stake by each player. However, if any other player has an automatic win with 15 or less, 49, or 50 points, the hand is thrown without any payment. In other games, if a player has a hand of 9 points or less, they are paid a triple stake by each player.
FAQs
Are Rummy and Tonk the same?
Tunk is a type of rummy game that is played between 2 to 4 players with a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The games typically involve the melding of cards into groups and sequences, and the value of the ungrouped cards is counted to evaluate the points for each player, which is how the game is related to rummy. The objective of the trunk game is to have the least points at the end of the round, which is quite similar to the goal of rummy games.
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How many cards can you use in a set or run?
A meld is usually formed with three or four cards at max; therefore, you must not use more than four cards while creating a set or run.
What is an automatic win in tonk?
When you play a tonk card game, you can automatically win. This is possible by having a hand worth 50 or more points right after the deal, without drawing extra cards. If you achieve this, you immediately win the round, and other players pay the agreed stake.
Can you hold aces in Tonk?
Holding aces in tonk is dependent on the game rules or the rules that all the players have agreed to. In some versions of Tunk, players cannot hold aces or other cards. However, if you are playing with beginners, it’s wise not to hold aces. Whereas, if you are playing with experienced players, you can hold aces if other players agree to the rule.
What are the rules of Tonk?
As per the tonk card game rules, each player gets dealt 5 cards each. The goal is to form spreads, which are groups of 3 or more cards. On your turn, you must draw a card and discard one. All the spreads must be placed on the table or added to other’s spreads. The game ends when a player gets rid of all their cards.
How to win in Tonk?
The one with the least number of cards wins in the game of tonk. If you place all your cards in spreads, you win instantly. Declaring “Tonk,” which means you have no cards left also wins you the game. The key is to create spreads quickly and reduce your hand.
How do you drop in Tonk?
Dropping means ending the round early if you believe you have the lowest total hand value. After drawing, announce you are dropping. Other players reveal their cards, and the lowest hand wins. But you must be careful because if someone has fewer points, you lose the round.
How do you count cards in Tonk?
Card values are counted based on their rank. Number cards are worth their face value, face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points, and Aces are worth 1 point. You must add up the points in your hand to check the winner or lowest hand.
