Understanding how each game works will help you have more fun and possibly increase your
How to Play Card Game
Key Takeaways
- Tongits: A fast-paced, Filipino card game that requires strategy, bluffing, and hand management.
- Pusoy Go: A combination of strategy and luck in building poker-style hands across three rounds.
- Baccarat: A simple, classic casino card game where the goal is to bet on the hand closest to 9.
- Hi-Lo: A guessing game that involves predicting whether the next card will be higher or lower than the previous one.
- Blackjack: A popular casino game where the aim is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over, while beating the dealer’s hand.
- Tongits and Pusoy Go are more social and casual, while Baccarat, Hi-Lo, and Blackjack are typical casino games.
- All games involve strategy, but casino games like Baccarat and Blackjack have betting elements, while Tongits and Pusoy Go focus on card combinations.
Strategies: Dos and Don'ts
Tongits
- Do’s:
- Focus on discarding high-value cards to reduce your points.
- Keep track of your opponent’s moves to anticipate their hand.
- Use “draw and discard” tactics to bluff your opponents.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t hold on to high-value cards for too long.
- Avoid declaring “fight” too early unless you’re confident about your hand.
Pusoy Go
- Do’s:
- Prioritize making the best possible hand for each of the three rounds.
- Watch your opponents closely to gauge their strategy.
- Learn different card combinations to be flexible with your play.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t rush through your decisions; take your time to analyze your hand.
- Avoid splitting strong combinations into weaker hands.
Baccarat
- Do’s:
- Bet on the Banker when unsure, as it has the lowest house edge.
- Understand the game’s basic rules, especially the third card rule.
- Use flat betting to manage your bankroll effectively.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t bet on a tie—it has a significantly higher house edge.
- Avoid betting emotionally or chasing losses after a losing streak.
Hi-Lo
- Do’s:
- Bet conservatively to extend your playtime and minimize risks.
- Pay attention to cards that have already appeared.
- Use patterns and logic when making higher/lower guesses.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t overestimate your luck after a winning streak; always stick to your strategy.
- Avoid guessing blindly without considering previous cards.
Blackjack
- Do’s:
- Always split aces and eights.
- Use basic blackjack strategy charts to guide your decisions.
- Manage your bankroll by sticking to a betting system, such as the Martingale.
- Don’ts:
- Don’t hit when you’re at 17 or higher, especially if the dealer shows a weak hand.
- Avoid taking insurance bets, as they generally don’t favor the player.
- Do’s:
Managing Your Bankroll
- Set a Budget: Always decide on a budget before you start playing and stick to it. This helps prevent chasing losses.
- Use Flat Betting: In games like Baccarat and Blackjack, betting the same amount each round minimizes your risks.
- Progressive Betting: Consider using systems like Martingale in Blackjack, but only if you have a sufficient bankroll to absorb potential losses.
- Avoid High Bets on Emotion: It’s easy to let excitement or frustration take over, but always remain disciplined.
- Withdraw Winnings: If you’re on a winning streak, periodically withdraw a portion of your winnings to ensure you walk away with some profit.

How to Play Tongits
Type: Rummy-style card game.
Objective: The goal is to minimize points or “empty” your hand by forming sets or sequences, similar to rummy games.
How to Play:
- Players: 2–4 players.
- Deck: Uses a standard 52-card deck.
- Card Values:
- Face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points each.
- Number cards carry their face value.
- Ace is worth 1 point.
Gameplay:
- Dealing: The dealer gives 12 cards to each player and 13 cards to the player to their right (who will start the game). The remaining cards form the draw pile.
- Turn Structure: The player with 13 cards starts by discarding one card to the center (discard pile), and the next player can either draw from the discard pile or take a card from the draw pile.
- Melds: The goal is to form “melds”, which can be either:
- A set (three or four of the same rank, e.g., three 7s).
- A run (three or more consecutive cards of the same suit, e.g., 4, 5, 6 of hearts).
- Going “Tongits”: If a player is able to use all of their cards in melds and discards their last card, they declare “Tongits” and win the round.
- Knocking: If a player thinks they have the lowest card value left in hand, they can “knock” to end the round. After knocking, players compare their hands, and the one with the lowest points wins.

How to Play Pusoy Go (Pusoy/Pusoy Dos)
Type: Shedding-type card game.
Objective: The goal is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards.
How to Play:
- Players: 2–4 players.
- Deck: Uses a standard 52-card deck.
Gameplay:
- Dealing: Each player is dealt 13 cards.
- Turn Structure: The player with the 3 of Diamonds typically starts the game by playing that card. The next player must then play a higher card or pass.
- Card Combos: Players can play:
- Single card (one card higher than the previous).
- Pairs (two cards of the same rank).
- Three-of-a-kind.
- Straight (five consecutive cards, like a straight in poker).
- Full House (three of one rank and two of another, just like in poker).
- Four-of-a-kind or Straight Flush.
- Objective: Keep playing cards higher than the previous one, or pass if you can’t. The first player to play all of their cards wins the round.

How to Play Baccarat
Type: Casino card game.
Objective: Bet on whether the player or the banker will have a hand value closest to 9.
How to Play:
- Players: Usually between 7 and 14 players in a casino, but the game is just between the player and banker.
- Deck: Typically played with 6–8 decks of cards shuffled together.
Gameplay:
- Dealing: The dealer gives two cards each to the player and the banker.
- Card Values:
- Number cards (2–9) are worth their face value.
- 10s and face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 0 points.
- Aces are worth 1 point.
- Calculating Points: If the total of the two cards is more than 9, the second digit is used (e.g., 15 becomes 5).
- Natural Win: If either the player or banker gets a total of 8 or 9, the game ends, and whoever has the higher total wins.
- Drawing Rules: If no one has a natural win, additional cards are drawn based on the total points of the player’s hand.
- Betting: Players can bet on:
- Player: Bet on the player having the highest total.
- Banker: Bet on the banker having the highest total.
- Tie: Bet on both hands having equal totals.

How to Play Hi-Lo
Type: Gambling prediction game.
Objective: Predict whether the next card will be higher or lower than the previous one.
How to Play:
- Players: 1 player (solo game).
- Deck: Uses a standard 52-card deck.
Gameplay:
- Starting: The dealer places one card face up, and the player has to predict if the next card drawn from the deck will be higher or lower in value.
- Card Values:
- Aces are usually counted as the lowest card.
- The face value of the card determines its rank (e.g., 2 is low, K is high).
- Making a Prediction: After each prediction, a new card is drawn, and the player wins if their prediction is correct. The game continues until the player either makes an incorrect guess or decides to stop and collect their winnings.

How to Play Blackjack
Type: Casino card game.
Objective: Get a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it.
How to Play:
- Players: Typically 1–7 players against the dealer.
- Deck: Usually played with 1–8 decks of cards.
Gameplay:
- Dealing: Each player is dealt two cards, and the dealer receives two cards (one face-up, one face-down).
- Card Values:
- Number cards are worth their face value.
- Face cards (J, Q, K) are worth 10 points.
- Aces can be worth either 1 or 11 points, depending on what benefits the hand.
- Player Options:
- Hit: Take an additional card.
- Stand: Keep your current hand.
- Double Down: Double your bet and take only one more card.
- Split: If the two cards have the same value, you can split them into two separate hands.
- Dealer’s Turn: After the players finish their turns, the dealer reveals their face-down card. The dealer must draw cards until their hand totals at least 17.
- Winning:
- If your hand total is higher than the dealer’s without exceeding 21, you win.
- If your hand exceeds 21, you “bust” and lose.
- If the dealer busts, all players who didn’t bust win the round.
Summary Table of Games:
Game | Type | Objective | Number of Players | Deck |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tongits | Rummy-style card game | Form sets or sequences, minimize points, or go Tongits | 2–4 players | Standard 52-card deck |
Pusoy Go | Shedding-type card game | Be the first to discard all cards | 2–4 players | Standard 52-card deck |
Baccarat | Casino banking game | Bet on hand closest to 9 (Player, Banker, or Tie) | 1+ players (banker) | 6–8 decks shuffled |
Hi-Lo | Gambling prediction game | Predict whether the next card is higher or lower | 1 player | Standard 52-card deck |
Blackjack | Casino card game | Get a hand total as close to 21 as possible without busting | 1–7 players vs dealer | 1–8 decks shuffled |
Conclusion
Card games, whether traditional or online, provide an enjoyable mix of strategy, skill, and chance. Each game—whether it’s Tongits, Pusoy Go, Baccarat, Hi-Lo, or Blackjack—has its own unique appeal and requires different strategies to win. The evolution of these games from casual table play to their digital counterparts has only increased their accessibility and popularity. Whether you’re looking for a quick round of Hi-Lo or a strategy-heavy session of Blackjack, managing your money roll, sticking to your strategies, and playing responsibly are key to enjoying these games to the fullest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Play Card Game Casino
Can I play Tongits and Pusoy Go online?
Yes, many online platforms and mobile apps allow you to play these Filipino card games, often in multiplayer settings.
What’s the best strategy for Baccarat?
The safest strategy is to bet on the Banker, as it offers the lowest house edge. Flat betting also helps manage risk.
Is Hi-Lo purely a game of luck?
Hi-Lo involves both luck and a bit of strategy. Paying attention to previous cards can help guide your decisions.
Can card counting be used in Blackjack?
Yes, card counting is a strategy used by some Blackjack players, though it is more difficult in online games due to shuffled decks after each hand.
What is a good bankroll for playing Blackjack?
A good starting bankroll is about 20-40 times your minimum bet. For example, if your minimum bet is ₱250, your bankroll should be at least ₱5,000 to ₱10,000.
Disclaimer
This article is for entertainment and informational purposes only. While card game strategies and money roll management can improve your play, there is no guaranteed method for winning. Always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose. Make sure to verify the legality of online gambling in your region before participating in any online card game casinos.
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