Guide to "Gong Zhu" Card Game: Rules, Strategies, and Winning Tips

"Gong Zhu," also known as "Chase the Pig," is a traditional Chinese trick-taking card game with roots in European games like Hearts. Popular in southeastern China, it challenges players to avoid negative-scoring cards while strategically passing penalties to opponents. This guide covers its rules, scoring mechanics, and advanced tactics to help you master the game.  

 1. Game Overview and Setup  

 Objective  

- Avoid accumulating negative points by steering clear of Hearts (红桃), Black Q (黑桃Q, "Pig"), and other penalty cards. The player with the lowest negative score at the end wins.  

 Setup  

- Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck (no Jokers). For "Double Pig" variants, two decks are combined.  

- Players: 4 players (individually or in teams).  

- Dealing: Each player receives 13 cards.  

 2. Key Card Values and Penalties  

- Hearts : Each Heart card carries negative points:  

  - A♥: -50, K♥: -40, Q♥: -30, ..., 2♥: -2.  

- Black Q : The "Pig" card: -100 points.  

- Diamond J : The "Sheep" card: +100 points.  

- Club 10 : The "Transformer" doubles all penalty points (e.g., a -50 Heart becomes -100). If revealed, its multiplier increases.  

 Special Bonuses  

- Full Red : Collecting all Hearts reverses their penalties to +260 points.  

- Grand Slam : Collecting all penalty cards (Hearts, Pig, Sheep, Transformer) results in an instant win.  

3. Gameplay Mechanics  

 Starting the Game  

- The player holding Club 2 starts the first round. Subsequent rounds begin with the previous round’s "Pig" holder.  

 Trick-Taking Rules  

1. Leading: The starting player may play any card.  

2. Following Suit: Players must follow the leading suit. If unable, they may discard Hearts or Black Q to pass penalties.  

3. Winning Tricks: The highest card in the leading suit wins the trick. The winner collects all penalty cards in the trick and leads the next round.  

 "Selling" Cards  

- Players can reveal penalty cards (Hearts, Pig, Sheep, Transformer) to double or quadruple their values:  

  - Open Sell : 4× multiplier.  

  - Hidden Sell : 2× multiplier.  

4. Scoring and Multipliers  

- Standard Scoring: Sum penalties from collected Hearts, Pig, and Sheep.  

- Transformer Effect: Doubles (or quadruples, if revealed) all penalties.  

- Winning Condition: The player/team with the lowest total negative score wins. A score of -1,000 (or -4,000 in two-deck games) triggers an immediate loss.  

5. Advanced Strategies  

 Avoiding Penalties  

- Discard High Hearts Early: Offload cards like A♥ or K♥ to opponents through forced suits.  

- Control the Pig : If holding Black Q, play it early when opponents are likely to have Hearts.  

 Aggressive Play  

- Force Opponents: Lead with suits opponents lack to make them discard Hearts or Pig.  

- Leverage the Transformer: If holding Club 10, prioritize collecting penalties to amplify opponents’ losses.  

 Team Coordination (Double Pig Variants)  

- Signal Intentions: Use discards to hint at your partner’s strong suits or penalty holdings.  

- Balance Risks: Coordinate to avoid concentrating penalties within your team.  

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid  

1. Holding High Hearts: Retaining A♥ or K♥ increases exposure to massive penalties.  

2. Misusing the Transformer: Failing to capitalize on Club 10’s multiplier wastes strategic potential.  

3. Ignoring "Full Red" Opportunities: Overlooking a chance to flip Hearts to positive points can cost the game.  

7. Regional Variations  

- Double Pig : Uses two decks. Rules differ for pairs (e.g., Diamond pairs beat non-pairs).  

- Team Play: Partners collaborate to minimize combined penalties.  

Conclusion  

Gong Zhu blends tactical trick-taking with risk management. Master card discards, leverage multipliers, and avoid high penalties to dominate the game. For deeper insights, practice with apps or explore regional variants.  

Key Terms:  

- Pig : Black Q (-100 points).  

- Sheep : Diamond J (+100 points).  

- Transformer : Club 10 (doubles penalties).