Playing guide
These options and rules describe the current JoyPip version. Choose a mode above before starting; rules are also available during play.
Step-by-step examples
Select a step to see what changes. These are partial examples, not full starting positions.
Practice options
- Bot skill
- Beginner · Normal · Expert
- Hands
- 4 hands · 8 hands
Private room options
- Hands
- 4 hands · 8 hands
Detailed rules and controls
Combinations
- Singles and pairs: compared by rank; 2 is highest and 3 is lowest.
- Consecutive pairs: two or more pairs in sequence, such as 3344; 2s can't be included.
- Straight: five or more cards in sequence, such as 34567; it can run up to A but can't include a 2.
- Triple with pair: three of a kind plus any two cards.
- Airplane: two or more consecutive triples, each with any two cards attached; the triples can't be 2s.
- Bomb: four of a kind. It beats any play that isn't a bomb, and a higher bomb beats a lower one.
- Last play: when a play empties your hand, a triple may carry one card or none, and an airplane may carry fewer cards.
- No splitting bombs: four of a kind can only be played together as a bomb, never split into singles, pairs, triples, straights or attached cards. When the next player has one card left, the "highest card" you must play doesn't count cards in a bomb.
Rules of play
- To follow, play the same combination with the same number of cards, ranked higher than the previous play: consecutive pairs need the same number of pairs, straights the same length, and airplanes the same number of triples.
- Must beat: if you can beat the previous play (bombs included), you must; you may pass only when you can't.
- Last card: when the next player has one card left, any single you play must be your highest card.
- When both other players pass, the last player to play leads again with anything.
Scoring
- The hand ends as soon as someone plays their last card. Each loser loses 1 point per card left, and the winner gains all those points.
- Shut out: a loser who never played a card loses double, 32 points for all 16 cards.
- Each bomb played earns its player 10 points and costs the other two players 5 points each, even if a higher bomb beats it.
- After 4 or 8 hands, the highest total wins; players tied for the top score share the win.
Frequently asked questions
If I can beat the previous play, may I choose to pass?
If the previous player plays a pair of 8s and you hold a pair of 10s, you must beat it; you can pass only when you can't. When the next player has one card left, any single you play must be your highest, so working low singles into straights, consecutive pairs or triples with pair early is much safer than holding on to a few stray low cards.
Do I need a download or a linked email?
Play directly in your browser without a download. Linking email is an optional way to recover your account. Before clearing browser data, consider whether you need to keep your account or local records.
Do matches earn or spend coins?
Earn coins by checking in and spend them on cosmetics. Matches never cost or award coins.