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
- Players
- 2 players · 3 players · 4 players
- Bot skill
- Beginner · Normal · Expert
- Hands
- Single hand · 3 rounds · 5 rounds
Private room options
- Players
- 2 players · 3 players · 4 players
- Hands
- Single hand · 3 rounds · 5 rounds
Detailed rules and controls
Sets
- Group: 3–4 tiles of the same number, each a different color, such as Red 7, Blue 7, Black 7.
- Run: 3 or more consecutive numbers in one color, such as Orange 3, Orange 4, Orange 5, Orange 6. A 1 can only go first, and 13 can't be followed by 1.
- In a run, a joker stands for the number in its position; in a group, it stands for a missing color. A set of 1 numbered tile plus 2 jokers counts as a run.
Initial meld and rearranging
- Initial meld: your first play must use only tiles from your rack to make new sets totaling at least 30 points (a joker counts as the number it represents). You can't touch the table that turn.
- After your initial meld, you may split, combine and move sets on the table and add your own tiles. At the end of your turn every set must be valid, and every tile that was on the table must still be there; none can go back to your rack.
- To take a joker from the table, the tile it represents must take its place: in a run, the tile of the same color and number; in a group, a tile of any missing color. That tile can come from your rack or from another set on the table.
- A replaced joker can't go back to your rack; you must use it in a set on the table in the same turn.
Turns and scoring
- Each turn, either play at least 1 tile from your rack or draw 1 from the pool. Once the pool is empty, pass if you can't or don't want to play.
- When someone empties their rack, each other player loses the value of their rack (numbers at face value, jokers 30), and the winner gains the total.
- If the pool is empty and everyone passes in a row, the lowest rack total wins. Each other player loses "their total minus the lowest total", and the winner gains the sum; players tied for lowest split it evenly (rounded down).
- In 3- or 5-hand matches, scores add up and the highest total wins. The first player is chosen at random in the first hand, and the lead then passes to the next player each hand.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my first play need at least 30 points?
Your first play (the initial meld) must use only tiles from your rack, with new sets totaling at least 30 points, such as Red 10, Blue 10 and Black 10; you can't touch the sets on the table yet. After that, you can move the Red 7 from the end of a Red 4–7 run on the table to join Blue 7 and Black 7 as a group, and Red 4, 5, 6 is still valid.
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.