Thirteen, also known as Tiến Lên, is a four-player climbing card game. Be the first to get rid of all thirteen cards in your hand. Play a single card or a matching combination that beats the current play, or pass and wait for another turn. Strong combinations can beat certain plays, including eligible twos.
Thirteen, also known as Tiến Lên or Tien Len, is a four-player climbing card game. Try to shed all 13 cards before your opponents by playing higher matching combinations, passing when useful, and using bombs against eligible 2s.
For complete rules and examples, read the How to Play Thirteen guide.
Ranks run 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace, then 2. Suit breaks ties: Spades, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, from low to high.
Play singles, pairs, triples, four of a kind, straights of three or more, or at least three consecutive pairs. Runs cannot contain 2s or wrap. Ordinary replies must match type and length.
Play moves clockwise. In the first hand, the holder of 3♠ leads a combination containing it. On later hands, the previous hand’s winner leads.
Beat the current play or pass. Passing locks ordinary play until the battle clears. You cannot pass when leading. If the last unbeaten player has already finished, the next active player clockwise leads instead.
A single 2 can be bombed by four of a kind or exactly three consecutive pairs. A pair of 2s needs exactly four consecutive pairs; a triple needs exactly five.
Bombs do not override ordinary non-2 plays. After passing, you may still bomb eligible 2s on your normal turn.
First to empty their hand wins the hand. The others continue for places, scoring 3, 2, 1 or 0. Choose Quick (1 hand) or Match (4 hands). After a Match, the highest total wins, with an extra hand if players tie for the lead.
Learn which bombs beat single, paired and triple 2s in Thirteen, why exact pair-run lengths matter, and when passed players can still respond.
Learn what beats what in Thirteen: rank and suit order, legal combinations, matching lengths, and the exact cards that decide a tie.
Improve your Thirteen strategy by planning combinations, protecting flexible cards, choosing when to pass, and using the lead to create a realistic finish.
