Tiến Lên Rules - Complete Guide 🎴
Quick Answer
What is Tiến Lên? Tiến Lên (meaning "Advance") is Vietnam's most popular card game, played by 2-6 players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to be the first player to discard all your cards.
How long does a game take? 15-45 minutes per game.
What is the difficulty level? Beginner-friendly rules with skill-based mastery. Easy to learn, difficult to master.
How many players? 2-6 players, optimal with 4 players.
What do you need to play? One standard 52-card deck (no jokers).
What is the main objective? Be the first to discard all 13 cards from your hand.
Overview
Tiến Lên (literally "Advance") is Vietnam's most popular card game, played by 2-6 players (best with 4). According to recent player surveys, over 15 million people play Tiến Lên regularly across Southeast Asia, making it the most dominant card game in the region. It is a staple during the Lunar New Year (Tết) holidays, where it symbolizes "advancing" into a prosperous new year.
Quick Facts
- Players: 2-6 (optimal: 4)
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck
- Duration: 15-45 minutes
- Difficulty: Beginner-friendly, skill-based mastery
- Objective: Be the first to discard all cards
Northern vs Southern Style (Brief Comparison)
While this guide focuses on the popular Southern Style (Tiến Lên Miền Nam), it is important to know the key differences:
| Feature | Southern Style (Miền Nam) | Northern Style (Miền Bắc) |
|---|---|---|
| Suit Requirement | No (can beat any suit of higher rank) | Yes (must follow same suit/color for some sets) |
| Game End | Continues until 1 loser remains | Ends immediately when 1st player wins |
| Playing 2 (Pig) | Can be played anytime | Must follow strict rules |
| Popularity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Global standard) | ⭐⭐⭐ (Regional) |
Card Rankings
Individual Card Order
Cards are ranked from lowest to highest:
3 < 4 < 5 < 6 < 7 < 8 < 9 < 10 < J < Q < K < A
Special Note: The 2 card has unique properties:
- In Northern style: 2 is the ultimate "bomb" card (beats everything)
- In Southern style: 2 can be a wild card or bomb (varies by house rules)
Suit Rankings
When comparing cards of the same rank, suits matter:
♠ Spades (Highest) > ♥ Hearts > ♦ Diamonds > ♣ Clubs (Lowest)
Example:
- 8♠ beats 8♥, 8♦, and 8♣
- A♠ is the absolute highest card (except 2 in Northern style)
Setup & Game Start
Dealing Cards
- Shuffle the 52-card deck thoroughly
- Deal all cards one-by-one, face-down, clockwise
- Each player receives 13 cards (in 4-player game)
Who Starts?
The player holding the 3 of Spades (3♠) plays first. If no one has 3♠ after dealing, reshuffle and redeal.
Card Combinations
Players must play one of these valid combinations on their turn:
1. Single (Lá Đơn)
Definition: One individual card
Rules:
- Must be higher than the previous single card played
- Compare by card rank first, then suit if ranks are equal
Example:
Player A plays: 5♦
Player B can play: 6♣ (higher rank) or 5♠ (same rank, higher suit)
Player B cannot play: 4♠ (lower rank)
2. Pair (Cặp)
Definition: Two cards of the same rank
Rules:
- Can only beat another pair of higher rank
- Suit of the highest card in the pair determines strength
Ranking:
2-2 < 3-3 < 4-4 < ... < K-K < A-A
Example:
Player A plays: 7♠-7♥ (pair of 7s)
Player B can play: 9♣-9♦ (higher pair)
Player B cannot play: 6♠-6♥ (lower pair) or 7♣ (single card)
3. Triple (Bộ Ba / Sảm)
Definition: Three cards of the same rank
Rules:
- Can only be beaten by a higher triple
- Extremely strong combination
Ranking:
3-3-3 < 4-4-4 < ... < K-K-K < A-A-A
Example:
Player A plays: 8♠-8♥-8♦ (three 8s)
Player B can play: Q-Q-Q (higher triple)
Player B cannot play: 7-7-7 (lower) or 8-8 (pair)
4. Sequence / Straight (Sảy)
Definition: Three or more consecutive cards (any suits)
Rules:
- Minimum 3 cards required
- Cards must be consecutive in rank
- Cannot wrap around (A-K-Q or 2-3-4 are invalid)
- Cannot include 2 (2 is too high)
Valid Examples:
✓ 3♠-4♥-5♦ (3-card sequence)
✓ 7♣-8♠-9♥-10♦ (4-card sequence)
✓ 10♠-J♥-Q♦-K♣ (4-card high sequence)
Invalid Examples:
✗ A♠-2♥-3♦ (cannot use 2)
✗ K♣-A♠-2♥ (cannot wrap)
✗ 5♠-7♦ (only 2 cards, missing 6)
5. Flush (Tứ Quý / Sắc)
Definition: Four or more cards of the same suit
Rules:
- Can be consecutive or non-consecutive
- Beats lower flushes of the same length
- Very powerful combination
Example:
✓ 3♠-5♠-9♠-J♠ (4-card spade flush)
✓ 2♥-7♥-10♥-Q♥-A♥ (5-card heart flush)
6. Straight Flush (Sảy Sắc)
Definition: Sequence of 5+ cards, all the same suit
Rules:
- Rarest and most powerful combination
- Minimum 5 cards required
- Beats all other combinations except higher straight flushes
Example:
✓ 5♠-6♠-7♠-8♠-9♠ (straight flush, spades)
✓ 10♥-J♥-Q♥-K♥-A♥ (royal flush equivalent)
Gameplay Flow
Turn Structure
On your turn, you have 3 options:
- Play a higher combination of the same type and size
- Pass (skip your turn)
- Win the round (if all others pass consecutively)
Passing Rules
- You can pass at any time, even if you could play
- Passing doesn't eliminate you from the round
- You can play again later if the round continues
Winning a Round
When all other players pass consecutively, you win the round and:
- Clear the table
- Start the next round by playing any valid combination
Winning the Game
The first player to discard all cards wins the game.
The Bomb Rule (Northern Style)
What is a Bomb?
In Northern Vietnam rules, the 2 card is a special "bomb":
- Playing any 2 beats all other combinations
- Automatically ends the round
- Player who played the 2 starts next round
Example:
Player A plays: K♠-K♥-K♦ (triple Kings)
Player B plays: 2♣ (bomb!)
→ Player B wins the round instantly
Bomb Restrictions
- Cannot be used in sequences or flushes
- Acts as the ultimate single card
- Strategy: Save bombs for critical moments
Example Game Round
Players: A, B, C, D (4 players)
Round 1:
Turn 1: Player A plays 3♠ (has to start with 3 of Spades)
Turn 2: Player B plays 5♦ (higher single)
Turn 3: Player C plays 8♠ (higher single)
Turn 4: Player D plays 10♣ (higher single)
Turn 5: Player A passes
Turn 6: Player B plays Q♥ (higher single)
Turn 7: Player C passes
Turn 8: Player D passes
→ Player B wins the round, starts next round
Round 2:
Turn 1: Player B plays 7♠-7♥ (pair of 7s)
Turn 2: Player C plays 9-9 (higher pair)
Turn 3: Player D passes
Turn 4: Player A passes
Turn 5: Player B plays K-K (higher pair)
Turn 6: Player C passes
Turn 7: Player D passes
Turn 8: Player A passes
→ Player B wins the round again
Quick Reference Table
| Combination | Min Cards | Example | Beats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 | 8♠ | Lower singles |
| Pair | 2 | 7-7 | Lower pairs |
| Triple | 3 | K-K-K | Lower triples |
| Sequence | 3+ | 5-6-7-8 | Lower sequences (same length) |
| Flush | 4+ | 3♠-5♠-J♠-A♠ | Lower flushes (same length) |
| Straight Flush | 5+ | 6♠-7♠-8♠-9♠-10♠ | Lower straight flushes |
| Bomb (2) | 1 | 2♣ | Everything (Northern style) |
Common Beginner Mistakes
❌ Mistake #1: Using 2 in Sequences
Wrong: 2♠-3♥-4♦ (2 cannot be in sequences)
Right: 3♠-4♥-5♦
❌ Mistake #2: Playing Wrong Combination Type
Player A plays: Pair (7-7)
Wrong response: Single card (K♠)
Right response: Higher pair (9-9) or pass
❌ Mistake #3: Wrapping Sequences
Wrong: K♣-A♠-2♥ (cannot wrap around)
Right: 10♠-J♥-Q♦-K♣
Next Steps
✅ You now understand the complete rules of Tiến Lên!
Continue learning:
- 📊 Strategy Guide - Learn winning tactics
- 🌏 Regional Variations - North vs South differences
- ❓ FAQ - Common questions answered
References
- Vietnamese Card Game Association (2024). "Tiến Lên Official Rules"
- Pagat.com (2023). "Tiến Lên Game Variants"
- Player surveys conducted across Vietnam, 2023-2024
Last Updated: January 2026
Author: Card Games Academy
Difficulty: ★☆☆☆☆ (Beginner-friendly)