Frequently Asked Questions about Phom (Tá Lả)
Core Gameplay & Rules
1. What is a "Phom" (Meld)?
Answer: A Phom is a set of cards formed in two ways:
- Horizontal: 3 or 4 cards of the same rank (e.g., 5-5-5, 8-8-8-8).
- Vertical: A sequence of 3 or more cards of the same suit (e.g., 4-5-6 of Hearts, 9-10-J of Spades). Note: A Phom cannot contain cards used in another Phom.
2. What does "Móm" (Burned) mean?
Answer: If the game ends (after 4 rounds) and you have failed to form any Phom, you are "Móm". Consequence: You automatically rank last (4th place), regardless of how low your points are. Avoiding Móm is a top priority for beginners.
3. What is "Ù" (Win)?
Answer: You win immediately (Ù) if all 9 cards in your hand form Phom sets, leaving 0 points.
- Ù Khan (Dry Win): A rare lucky hand dealt initially with no pairs or potential matches. Instant win.
- Ù Tròn (Perfect Win): When a player holds 10 cards (as dealer) and all 10 form Phoms.
Strategy & Penalties
4. What is the "Pay All" (Đền Làng) rule?
Answer: This is the harshest penalty in Phom. It triggers if:
- You let the next player eat 3 cards in a row -> They Win (Ù).
- You let the next player eat the Closing Card (Chốt) -> They Win (Ù). Penalty: Instead of splitting the loss, YOU pay the total winnings for the entire table.
5. What happens if I eat a card?
Answer:
- Benefit: You form a Phom using an opponent's discard.
- Cost: You must move one card from your hand to the discard pile.
- Strategy: Eating reduces your hand size and potential points but reveals information to opponents. Be careful not to break up potential Phoms unless necessary.
6. If points are equal, who wins?
Answer: If two players have the same score (e.g., both have 5 points), the player who put down their cards first (who sits closer to the dealer in counter-clockwise order) takes the higher rank. This is why playing quickly and decisively matters in the final round.