Conquian, a thrilling card game of strategy and skill, invites players to embark on an exhilarating adventure. With its roots in the Philippines, this beloved pastime has captivated countless individuals for generations. Whether you’re an experienced card enthusiast or a curious novice, Conquian offers an engaging and rewarding experience that will keep you enthralled for hours on end. As you delve into the intricacies of this captivating game, prepare to test your wit, sharpen your strategic thinking, and revel in the thrill of outsmarting your opponents. Dive into the vibrant world of Conquian and discover a game that will ignite your competitive spirit and leave you craving for more.
To embark on your Conquian journey, you will require a standard deck of 52 cards. Gather a group of eager players, ranging from two to four individuals, and designate one player as the dealer. The dealer will distribute seven cards to each player, forming their initial hands. The remaining cards form the draw pile, which will be used throughout the game. The player to the left of the dealer initiates the game by drawing a card from the draw pile. The drawn card can be added to the player’s hand or discarded to start the discard pile. The game continues clockwise, with each player taking turns drawing and discarding cards. However, a special rule applies: if a player draws the same card that they discard, they must draw an additional card as a penalty.
The ultimate goal of Conquian is to form melds, which are combinations of three or more cards of the same rank or suit. Melds can be of two types: clean melds consist of cards of the same suit, while mixed melds combine cards of different suits. Players can meld their cards by placing them face up on the table. Once a player has melded, they are not permitted to add or remove cards from that meld. The game culminates when one player successfully melds all seven cards in their hand. This player is declared the winner and earns a point. The game continues until a predetermined number of points is reached, crowning the ultimate Conquian champion.
Introduction to Conquian: A Classic Card Game
Conquian, also known as Conquian Ronguista, is a traditional Mexican card game that has captivated generations of players. This engaging game combines elements of Rummy and Canasta, making it a unique and rewarding experience. Whether you’re a seasoned card enthusiast or a novice seeking a new challenge, Conquian offers a thrilling and entertaining gameplay experience.
Conquian is played with a Spanish deck of 40 cards, consisting of four suits: Oros (Coins), Copas (Cups), Espadas (Swords), and Bastos (Clubs). Each suit contains 10 cards, ranging from Ace to 10, as well as three special cards: the Joker, the Segundo, and the Conquian. The Joker is the most valuable card in the deck, followed by the Segundo and then the Conquian. These special cards play a pivotal role in creating winning combinations.
| Suit | Cards |
| Oros (Coins) | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace |
| Copas (Cups) | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace |
| Espadas (Swords) | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace |
| Bastos (Clubs) | 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace |
| Special Cards | Joker, Segundo, Conquian |
Understanding the Goal of Conquian
Conquian, a traditional Filipino card game, poses a compelling challenge to its players. To emerge victorious, the ultimate goal is to assemble combinations of cards known as “books” and “melds” before your opponents. These combinations consist of:
Books
- Three or four cards of the same rank, forming a “book.”
- The highest-ranking book among all players wins the game.
- Aces are considered the lowest-ranking card, while threes are the highest.
Melds
- Three or more cards of the same suit in ascending or descending order, forming a “meld.”
- Melds can be either “clean” (containing only cards of the same suit) or “dirty” (incorporating wild cards).
- The player with the longest clean meld, or the highest-ranking dirty meld, wins the round.
Once a player has formed a book or a meld, they lay it face-up on the table. The game continues until one player has collected all the books and melds necessary to win.
The Deal and the Initial Play
The Deal
Each player is dealt 10 cards from the deck. The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table to form the draw pile.
The Initial Play
The player to the left of the dealer begins the game by drawing the top card from the draw pile. The player then discards a card by placing it face up on the discard pile. The discard pile is located next to the draw pile.
The Play
The play proceeds clockwise around the table. On their turn, a player can either draw a card from the draw pile or pick up the top card from the discard pile. If a player picks up the top card from the discard pile, they must also discard a card.
Melds
A meld is a combination of three or more cards of the same rank or suit. Melds can be laid down on the table face up. There are two types of melds:
| Meld Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Run | A sequence of three or more cards in the same suit. |
| Set | Three or more cards of the same rank. |
Players can lay down multiple melds during their turn. However, each meld must consist of at least three cards.
Forming Combinations in Conquian
Conquian requires players to form specific combinations of cards to earn points. These combinations include:
Escalera (Straight)
A set of at least three cards in sequence, such as 3-4-5 or 8-9-10.
Flor (Flush)
A set of at least three cards of the same suit, such as three hearts or three spades.
Tercera (Three of a Kind)
A set of three cards of the same rank, such as three aces or three queens.
Cuarta (Four of a Kind)
A set of four cards of the same rank, such as four 7s or four kings.
Quintana (Five of a Kind)
A set of five cards of the same rank, such as five 6s or five jokers. The quintana is the highest-ranking combination in Conquian and is worth the most points.
Meld Types: Escalera, Tercia, and Cuadro
Escalera
An escalera is a sequence of three or more cards of the same suit. For example, 5-6-7 of hearts or 10-J-Q-K of spades are both escaleras. Escaleras with more cards are worth more points.
Scoring:
- 3 cards: 1 point
- 4 cards: 2 points
- 5 cards: 3 points
- 6 cards: 4 points
- 7 cards: 5 points
Tercia
A tercia is a set of three cards of the same rank, such as three aces, three kings, or three 7s. Tercias are worth 1 point each, regardless of the rank of the cards.
Cuadro
A cuadro is a set of four cards of the same rank, such as four aces, four queens, or four 8s. Cuadros are worth 2 points each, regardless of the rank of the cards.
Calling Out Melds
When a player has a meld, they can call it out by placing it face up on the table. There are two types of melds: runs and sets. Runs are three or more cards of the same suit in sequence. Sets are three or more cards of the same rank.
The Escalera Real
The Escalera Real is the highest-ranking meld in Conquian. It is a run of five cards of the same suit, from ace to five. If a player has an Escalera Real, they can immediately win the game.
The Rummy Rule
The Rummy Rule is a special rule that can be applied when a player has a meld of four or more cards. The player can declare the Rummy Rule and discard the remaining cards in their hand. If the player wins the game, they will receive a bonus of 10 points.
The Escalera de Color
The Escalera de Color is a run of five cards of the same suit. It is not as high-ranking as the Escalera Real, but it is still a powerful meld.
The Escalera
The Escalera is a run of four cards of the same suit. It is not as high-ranking as the Escalera de Color, but it is still a useful meld.
The Tres
The Tres is a set of three cards of the same rank. It is not as high-ranking as the Escalera, but it is still a good meld.
The Dos
The Dos is a set of two cards of the same rank. It is the lowest-ranking meld in Conquian.
| Meld | Rank |
|---|---|
| Escalera Real | 1 |
| Escalera de Color | 2 |
| Escalera | 3 |
| Tres | 4 |
| Dos | 5 |
Play Strategies for Strategic Wins
Mastering Conquian requires not only skill but also strategic thinking. Here are some winning strategies to enhance your gameplay:
1. Control the Game with Ace and 2
Holding an Ace or 2 grants you the power to start the game, setting the pace and potentially gaining an early lead.
2. Meld High-Value Combinations
Creating melds with high-value cards, such as Royalties and Aces, earns you significant points. Prioritize forming these combinations to maximize your score.
3. Exploit the Weakest Opponent
Identify the player with the lowest score or most troubled hand. Play accordingly, targeting them with melds or trapping them with high cards.
4. Block Opponents’ Melds
Keep an eye on your opponents’ cards and strategically discard to hinder their meld-building attempts. Block their combinations to gain an edge.
5. Retain Low Cards for Later
Avoid discarding low cards in the early stages of the game. They may become valuable later when you need to form high melds or break up your opponents’ chains.
6. Bluff Effectively
While bluffing can be risky, it can pay off if executed well. Convince your opponents that you hold a strong hand even when you don’t to gain psychological advantage.
7. Manage Your Hand Wisely
Pay attention to the cards you draw and discard, adjusting your strategy as you go. Discarding wisely can prevent you from giving away valuable information or accumulating penalty points.
8. Advanced Meld-Building Techniques
| Combination | Description |
|---|---|
| Same Suit | Forming a meld with cards of the same suit, regardless of rank. |
| Run | Combining three or more consecutive cards in rank, regardless of suit. |
| Triple Run | Three consecutive runs of the same suit. |
| Quadruple Run | Four consecutive runs of the same suit. |
Scoring in Conquian: Determining the Points
In Conquian, scoring is crucial for determining the winner and the amount of money involved. Each card in the game holds a specific point value:
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Ace | 1 |
| 2-7 | 0 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | 9 |
| 10 | 10 |
| Jack | 11 |
| Queen | 12 |
| King | 13 |
The objective of the game is to form combinations of cards known as “conquian” and “falla.” A conquian consists of three or more cards of the same rank, while a falla consists of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit.
When a player forms a conquian or falla, the following points are awarded:
Conquian Points
- 3 cards = 20 points
- 4 cards = 50 points
- 5 cards = 100 points
Falla Points
- 3 cards = 10 points
- 4 cards = 40 points
- 5 cards = 80 points
Additionally, players receive bonus points for certain combinations:
- 3 Aces = 50 points
- 3 8s = 50 points
- Conquian of 7s = 100 points
- Falla of 7s = 50 points
Variations of Conquian: Expanded Gameplay Options
10. Advanced Scoring:
Advanced Conquian allows for a more intricate scoring system, adding depth to the gameplay. Some variations include:
- Double Runs: Runs of 3 or more cards of the same suit score double.
- Canasta: Runs of 7 or more cards of the same suit earn a hefty bonus.
- Blocked Runs: Runs that are unblocked by a discard earn extra points.
| Combination | Points |
|---|---|
| Run of 3 cards | 10 |
| Run of 4 cards | 15 |
| Double run of 3 cards | 20 |
| Double run of 4 cards | 30 |
| Canasta (run of 7 cards) | 50 |
How to Play Conquian Card Game
Conquian is a classic Philippine card game that combines the strategic elements of poker with the luck of the draw. The game is typically played with four players, but can also be played with two or three players.
The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. To do this, players must create melds, which are combinations of cards that meet certain criteria. Melds can be either sets (three or four cards of the same rank) or runs (three or more cards in a row in the same suit).
The game starts with each player being dealt seven cards. The player to the left of the dealer then draws the top card from the deck and places it in the discard pile. The player may then choose to pick up the card on top of the discard pile or draw a card from the deck.
Players take turns playing cards from their hands to create melds. Melds can be played face up on the table or face down on the player’s closed hand.
If a player is unable to create a meld, they must draw a card from the deck. If the player is unable to draw a card because the deck is empty, they must discard a card from their hand.
The game continues until one player gets rid of all of their cards. The player who does this is the winner.
People Also Ask About How To Play Conquian Card Game
Is Conquian a gambling game?
No, Conquian is not a gambling game.
How many players can play Conquian?
Conquian can be played with two, three, or four players.
What is the objective of Conquian?
The objective of Conquian is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards.
How does a player win Conquian?
A player wins Conquian by getting rid of all of their cards before the other players.
