How to Play Guandan
Guandan (掼蛋) is the most popular card game in Jiangsu, China. Four players in two partnerships race to play out their cards with two decks. The team that goes out first climbs levels, and the first team past A wins. kawu uses the common tournament rules and counts levels only.
Seats and deal
- Four players; the player opposite you is your partner.
- Two decks with all four jokers (108 cards), 27 cards each. No kitty.
- A random player leads the first hand; later the tribute giver leads (see below).
The level and card order
Each team has its own level, starting at 2. A hand is played at the level of the team that won the last hand (the first hand at 2). The level rank moves above the Ace:
2 < 3 < … < K < A < level rank < small joker < big joker
Suits have no rank. At level 7, a 7 beats an Ace.
Wild cards
The two hearts of the level rank are wild: each can stand for any card except a joker. At level 5:
9 9 9 + 5♥ = a bomb of four 9sPlayed alone, a wild card is simply a level card.
Combinations
| Combination | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Single, pair, triple | 1, 2 or 3 of a rank | 8; J J; 4 4 4 |
| Three with a pair | A triple and a pair | 7 7 7 9 9 |
| Straight | Exactly 5 in sequence, Ace high or low | 3–7; 10–A; A–5 |
| Three pairs | Exactly 3 consecutive pairs | 5 5 6 6 7 7 |
| Two triples | Exactly 2 consecutive triples | 8 8 8 9 9 9 |
| Bomb | 4 to 10 of a rank | 6 6 6 6 |
| Straight flush | A straight in one suit | 9–K of spades |
| Four jokers | All four jokers |
See all of them with pictures on the Guandan combinations page.
What beats what
- A non-bomb is beaten only by a higher play of the same type and size. Sequences compare by their top card (an Ace played low is lowest).
- Any bomb beats any non-bomb. Between bombs: 4 cards < 5 cards < straight flush < 6 < 7 < 8 < 9 < 10 cards < four jokers. Same size compares by rank.
- In sequences the level rank counts at its natural place.
Play
- The leader plays any combination.
- Each player in turn beats the last play or passes.
- When everyone else passes, the last player to play leads again.
- If that player has already gone out, their partner leads instead.
Levels
Players finish first, second, third and last. The team of the first player wins the hand:
| First player's partner finishes | Levels gained |
|---|---|
| Second (a double win) | 3, and the hand ends at once |
| Third | 2 |
| Last | 1 |
Levels stop at A. Passing A: a team that wins a hand at its own A, with the partner not last, wins the game. If the partner is last, the team stays at A. (kawu simplification: no penalty for failing at A three times.)
Tribute
From the second hand on:
- The player who finished last gives their highest card to the first player.
- After a double win, both losers give their highest card; the higher one goes to the first player, the other to the second.
- The tribute can't be a wild heart.
- Each receiver gives back a card of 10 or lower.
- No tribute if the side that should pay holds both big jokers (between them, after a double win).
- The tribute giver (the higher one after a double win) leads; with no tribute, the previous first player leads.
Playing on kawu
- Select cards and press Play; drag across cards to select several. Hint cycles through plays you can make.
- Wild cards have a small "wild" badge.
- Your record is saved on your device only.
Next, read the Guandan strategy guide, or start a game.
Frequently asked questions
How many players does Guandan need?
Four, in two teams of two. Partners sit opposite each other. On kawu you play with a computer partner against two computer opponents, or online with friends.
What are the wild cards in Guandan?
The two hearts of the level rank. When the level is 5, both 5♥ are wild: each can stand for any card except a joker.
Does a straight flush beat a bomb?
It beats a five-card bomb and loses to a six-card bomb. Four jokers beat everything.
How do you win a game of Guandan?
Teams climb levels from 2 to A. The first team to win a hand while playing its own A, with the partner not finishing last, wins the game.
Last updated 2026-10-18