Is Tongits a Poker?

Tongits is a popular card game in the Philippines that has been gaining a lot of attention in recent years. Many people who are not familiar with the game often wonder if it is a form of poker. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between Tongits and poker to determine if Tongits can be considered a form of poker.

First, it’s important to understand what poker is. Poker is a card game that involves players betting on the strength of their hand.

The objective of the game is to win the pot, which is the sum of all bets made by players in a hand. The winner is determined by having the best hand or by forcing all other players to fold their hands.

Tongits, on the other hand, is a rummy-style card game that originated in the Philippines. The objective of Tongits is to get rid of all your cards by forming sets and runs. The winner is determined by having the lowest total score at the end of each round.

While both games involve playing with cards and have objectives for winning, there are several key differences between Tongits and poker that make them distinct from each other.

1. Betting Style
In poker, players bet on their hands before revealing them to other players. In Tongits, there is no betting involved as players simply aim to get rid of all their cards.

2. Hand Rankings
In poker, hand rankings are crucial as they determine who wins each round and thus who wins the pot. In Tongits, however, there are no hand rankings as players only aim to form sets and runs.

3. Number of Players
Poker can be played with anywhere from 2-10 players depending on the specific variant being played. Tongits typically involves 3-5 players.

4. Card Deck
Poker uses a standard 52-card deck while Tongits uses a modified deck with jokers included.

5. Strategy
In poker, players often employ a range of strategies to win such as bluffing, reading opponents, and calculating odds. In Tongits, the strategy involves forming sets and runs while trying to prevent opponents from doing the same.

Based on these differences, it’s safe to say that Tongits is not a form of poker. While both games involve playing with cards and have objectives for winning, they differ in their betting style, hand rankings, number of players, card deck, and strategy.

PRO TIP:Tongits is not a poker game. It is a card game which originated in the Philippines and is played with a standard deck of 52 cards plus two jokers. The objective of the game is to be the first player to discard all cards in their hand, or have the lowest score when all other players have gone out.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a fun and challenging card game to play with friends or family members in the Philippines, Tongits is definitely worth considering. Just remember that it’s not a form of poker!