Thirteen (Tiến Lên)

About the game

Thirteen is the English name of Tiến Lên Miền Nam (Southern-style Tiến Lên), the four-player shedding card game that is played everywhere in Vietnam and loved across Asia. In this version you sit at a dark neon table against three bots. Every player is dealt 13 cards and the goal is simple: be the first to get rid of all of them. The ranking is what makes it special: 3 is the lowest card, then 4, 5 and so on up to K and A, and the 2 is the most powerful card in the deck. Between cards of the same rank the suit decides, from spades (lowest) to clubs, diamonds and hearts (highest). You can play singles, pairs, triples, four of a kind, straights of three or more consecutive cards and pair straights of three or more consecutive pairs, and to beat the table you must play the same type and length with a higher top card. The bombs are what make Tiến Lên thrilling: four of a kind or three consecutive pairs chop a single 2, and four consecutive pairs even chop a pair of 2s. Once you pass you are locked out until the round resets; when everyone passes, the last player to play leads a new round with any combination. The player holding the 3 of spades starts the first deal. Instant wins (four 2s, a dragon straight from 3 to A, six pairs, five consecutive pairs) can be switched on or off in the menu. Each deal is scored by finishing order (1st 3 points, 2nd 2, 3rd 1, 4th 0), and finishing a three-deal set in the top two moves you up a level, where the bots save their 2s and bombs more carefully, break straights more wisely and plan their finish better. Tap cards or slide your finger across them to select, the indicator tells you instantly whether your selection is a valid combination, and the hint button suggests the best move when you are stuck. There is no betting, no chips and no money; it is free to play on phone and desktop with no download or sign-up.

How to play

1. Everyone gets 13 cards. Ranks go 3 (lowest) … K, A, 2 (highest); within a rank the suit decides: spades < clubs < diamonds < hearts.
2. In the first deal the 3 of spades leads and must be in the first play. Whoever leads a round may play any combination: single, pair, triple, four of a kind, straight or pair straight.
3. On your turn, beat the table with the same type and length and a higher top card, or pass. Once you pass you cannot play again until the round resets.
4. Chop 2s with bombs: four of a kind or 3 consecutive pairs beat a single 2, 4 consecutive pairs beat a pair of 2s. When everyone passes, the last player leads a new round.
5. Score 3-2-1-0 points by finishing order. Finish a three-deal set in the top two to level up; the bots get stronger every level.

Controls

Touch/mouse: tap cards or slide across them to select (tap again to deselect), press PLAY to play and PASS to pass, the light-bulb button gives a hint; the indicator above your hand shows whether the selection is valid. Keyboard: ← → move between cards, Space or ↑ selects, ↓ / C clears the selection, Enter plays, X or Backspace passes, H hint, M menu, P pause.

🎲 Board & Card Games👫 2 Player & Multiplayer🕹️ Classic Games

FAQ

What is the highest card in Tiến Lên?

The 2 is the highest card and the 3 is the lowest. Within the same rank the suit decides: hearts are highest, then diamonds, clubs and spades. So the 2 of hearts is the strongest single card, and only a bomb can beat it.

How do you chop a 2?

A single 2 is chopped by four of a kind or by three consecutive pairs (e.g. 5-5-6-6-7-7). A pair of 2s is chopped by four consecutive pairs. Four consecutive pairs also beat four of a kind, and four of a kind beats three consecutive pairs.

Can I play again after passing?

Not in that round: in Tiến Lên Miền Nam a player who passes is locked out until the round resets. When everyone has passed, the player who made the last play leads a new round and everyone can play again.