Paohuzi Game Guide

1. The Basics

• Players: 4
• Deck: 80 character cards
• Small cards: 一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十 (1–10; 4 of each)
• Big cards: 壹 贰 叁 肆 伍 陆 柒 捌 玖 拾 (1–10; 4 of each)

2. Dealing

• Dealer: 15 cards
• Other players: 14 cards each
• Draw pile: 23 cards

3. Melds

Ti — concealed quad

Four identical cards: either four in your opening hand, or three in your opening hand followed by drawing the fourth yourself. This meld is mandatory.

Wei — concealed triplet

You hold two identical cards and draw the third yourself. This meld is mandatory.

Peng — exposed triplet

You hold two identical cards and another player discards or draws the third.

Pao — exposed quad

You hold three identical cards or have already made a Peng, and another player draws the fourth.

Chi — sequence or mixed set

Form a run such as 1–2–3, the special 2–7–10 combination, or a mixed set such as two small tens and one big ten.

4. Taking Turns

The dealer plays first; turns proceed counterclockwise. Players may Chi, Peng, Wei, Pao, Ti, or pass.

5. Huxi Scores

6. Winning

• Complete a valid hand.
• Total huxi: at least 6.

7. Winning on a Discard

• You may win on a card discarded by any player.
• Your completed hand must meet the winning requirements.
• If multiple players can win: next player > opposite player > previous player.

8. A Draw

If the draw pile runs out before anyone wins, the hand ends in a draw.

9. Special Rules

• Passed Chi: if you pass an opportunity to Chi a card, you cannot Chi that card on a later opportunity.
• Extra matching cards: when you Chi, any matching card still in your hand must also be played as part of a valid meld. Otherwise, you cannot Chi.
  For example, when claiming a small 2, another small 2 in your hand must also be played in a meld, such as 1–2–3 or 2–3–4.