Game Rules
Tien LenThe Vietnamese way to the top
A Vietnamese shedding game with its own hierarchy. Similar to Big Two — but with different combination rules.
Players2 – 4
Duration15 – 25 min
Deck52 cards
LevelMedium
I · The idea
Get rid of
the cards
I
Tien Len means “go forward” in Vietnamese. Four players race to shed their 13 hand cards first. Here too, the 2 is the highest card.
The difference from Big Two lies in the combination rules: certain special combos can even beat a 2 — which makes the game tactically richer.
II · Preparation
Before the
game begins
II
1
Deal the cards
52 cards to four players — 13 cards each.
2
Starting player
Whoever holds the 3 of clubs starts and must use it in the first combination.
3
Goal
Shed all hand cards as fast as possible. First out wins.
III · Card values
What may
be played
be played
III
1
Single card
Single
One card. The next player plays a higher one — or passes.
2
Pair
Two alike
Two cards of the same rank. Beaten by a higher pair.
3
Sequence
3–5 in a row
Three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
∞
Four alike
Beats a 2
Four cards of the same rank even beat a 2 — the mightiest combo.
IV · Gameplay
Round by
round
IV
1
Lay a combination
The starting player lays a valid combination. The type stays fixed for the whole round.
2
Beat it
Each following player must lay the same type of combination with a higher value, or pass.
3
Everyone passes
If everyone passes, the pile is cleared. The last player to lay starts anew.
4
Beating a 2
A 2 can only be beaten by four of a kind or a sequence of 5 pairs.
5
Winner
Whoever sheds all 13 cards first wins. Losers pay points based on their remaining cards.
V · Variants
Regional variants
V
Tien Len is played slightly differently in northern and southern Vietnam.
S
Southern Vietnam
Stricter rules: sequences must be at least 3 cards long.
N
Northern Vietnam
Looser combination rules, the 2 is harder to beat.
C
Chop
Certain combos directly beat a played 2 — no further play needed.
2×
Two decks
With 5–8 players: shuffle two decks together, deal 13 cards each.
Berlin Hold'em · Matching decks
Get the right deck
Tien Len plays best with cards that feel good in the hand.
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