Vietnam's national game — climb past the others and shed thirteen cards.
Vietnam's national card game, and one of the best in the climbing family. Four players, thirteen cards each, the whole deck dealt.
Two is highest, then ace, king, down to three.
Suits rank hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades — the opposite way round from Big two, so do not carry your instincts across.
Whoever holds the three of spades leads first, and must include it in whatever they play.
Single. Pair. Triple. Run of three or more consecutive ranks. Twos may not be part of a run. Double run — three or more consecutive pairs. Four of a kind.
Each player must beat the previous play with the same type, or pass. Once you pass you are out until the round clears.
This is what separates tien len from its relatives. A two can be beaten out of turn:
A single two is beaten by four of a kind, or by three consecutive pairs. A pair of twos is beaten by four consecutive pairs, or by four of a kind in some house rules. Three twos are beaten by five consecutive pairs.
A bomb can be beaten by a higher bomb.
Some tables allow a hand dealt with four twos, six pairs, or a run from three to ace to be declared immediately as a win.
First out wins. Being left holding a two when someone goes out is the standard humiliation, and most house rules add a penalty for it.