101 Okey Rules: How to Play, Opening and Penalties
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101 Okey is the points-based version of Turkish Okey, played with the same 106 tiles. Four players start with 21 tiles each; once your sets add up to at least 101 points, or you hold at least five pairs, you open your hand and race to lay down every tile. Scores are kept as plus and minus, and the lowest total wins the match.
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Tiles, indicator and joker
There are 106 tiles: numbers 1-13 in red, yellow, blue and black, two of each, plus two false jokers. After the deal an indicator tile is turned up; the tile one higher in the same colour is the okey, a wild tile (after 13 comes 1). The false joker (star tile) stands in for the okey tile with its colour and number.
A tile is worth its face number. An okey takes the value of the tile it replaces. In Zipi, okey tiles carry a gold star on your rack.
Deal and turn order
Everyone gets 21 tiles and the starting player gets 22, discarding on their first turn without drawing. Play passes to the right. On each turn you:
- Draw from the face-down pile or take the tile the left-hand player discarded.
- If you have opened, lay new sets or add tiles to sets on the table.
- Discard one tile to end your turn.
Taking the discard: if you pick up the left player's tile you must use it that same turn in an opening or an addition. If you cannot, give it back and draw from the pile instead.
Sets and tile values
- Run: three or more consecutive tiles of one colour, such as yellow 8-9-10. 12-13-1 is fine; 13-1-2 is not.
- Group: three or four tiles of one number in different colours, such as red, blue and black 11.
A set is worth the sum of its tiles: yellow 8-9-10 is 27, three 11s are 33. Zipi variant: a 1 always counts as 1, even at the end of 12-13-1. Some tables score a 1 after a 13 higher; Zipi does not.
Opening your hand
There are two ways to open:
- 101 opening: the sets you lay down must total at least 101.
- Pairs opening: lay down at least five pairs. A pair is two identical tiles; an okey pairs with anything.
On later turns you may lay new sets (only pairs if you opened with pairs) and add tiles to any player's sets on the table. An okey on the table stays there.
In Zipi you separate blocks on your rack with gaps and press OPEN. A live counter such as Opening 87/101 shows your progress, and Best opening finds your highest-scoring arrangement. Drag a tile onto a glowing green set on the table to add it.
Finishing and multipliers
After opening, the player who lays everything down and discards their last tile finishes and scores −101. These double the result, and they stack:
- Finishing with an okey discard: ×2
- Opening and finishing in the same turn: ×2
- Finishing after a pairs opening: ×2
The finisher's multiplier also applies to everyone else's penalty. If you finish by discarding an okey you score −202, and an opponent who never opened takes 404.
101 Okey penalty table
| Situation | Score |
|---|---|
| Finisher | −101 (× multiplier) |
| Never opened | +202 (× multiplier) |
| Opened, tiles left in hand | Sum of tiles left (× multiplier) |
| Opened with pairs, tiles left | Twice the sum (× multiplier) |
| Okey left in hand | Counts as 101 |
| Discarding an okey | +101 penalty |
| Discarding a tile that fits a table set | +101 penalty |
| Draw pile runs out | Penalties scored without multiplier |
A match is 9 hands (3 in quick mode) and the lowest total wins. Some tables use different penalty values or a rising opening threshold; in Zipi the threshold is always 101.
Partnership 101
In team mode partners sit opposite each other. If your partner finishes, your penalty is not scored, and team totals are added together. In Zipi you team up with the bot opposite you against two bot opponents.
Common mistakes and beginner tips
Common mistakes: taking a discard you cannot use, throwing a tile that fits a table set (101 penalty), discarding the okey, and being caught with an okey in hand (it counts 101).
- Open with high tiles: 10s to 13s reach 101 fast and are the most expensive tiles to be stuck with.
- Balance speed and size: failing to open costs 202, so aim to open within a few turns on an average hand.
- Watch for pairs: five pairs is a quick opening, but remember leftover tiles then count double.
- Scan the table before every discard: make sure your tile cannot be added to any set.
- Look for a one-turn finish: opening and finishing together doubles the score.
- Do not feed the right-hand player: avoid discards that complete their opening.
Play 101 Okey online on Zipi
101 Okey opens in your browser on Zipi. In the career you play solo or as a 2v2 team against bots; each match you win levels you up, and stronger bots calculate 101 openings, choose when to open, add to the table and go for pairs when it pays. Online, invite friends to a four-player table with a room code or link, or get matched with world opponents; bots fill empty seats, each turn lasts 25 seconds and there is no chat.
FAQ
How many points do you need to open in 101 Okey?
The sets you lay down must total at least 101 points. Alternatively you can open with at least five pairs.
What changes if I open with pairs?
Afterwards you can only lay more pairs, any tiles left in your hand count double, and finishing after a pairs opening applies a ×2 multiplier.
What is finishing in one go?
Opening and discarding your last tile in the same turn. In Zipi it doubles the score.
What if I cannot use the discard I picked up?
You must use it in an opening or addition that turn; if you cannot, you give it back and draw from the pile.
Is discarding the okey penalised?
Yes, discarding an okey costs 101, and so does discarding a tile that fits a set on the table. Discarding an okey to finish is different: it doubles your result.
What does a player who never opened score?
202 penalty points, multiplied by the finisher's multiplier if there is one.
How many hands is a match?
In Zipi a standard match is 9 hands and quick mode is 3. The lowest total wins.
