Conquian

Conquian is a rummy-type card game of Filipino origin, believed to be one of the oldest games of its kind. It is also known as Tong-its, though Tong-its is often considered a specific variation with slightly different rules.

Gameplay

Conquian is typically played with two players, using a standard deck of 52 playing cards. The objective of the game is to be the first player to get rid of all your cards by forming sets (three or four cards of the same rank) and runs (three or more cards in sequence of the same suit). A player can also win by calling "Conquian," declaring that their hand can be laid down immediately as winning combinations.

Dealing

The dealer distributes cards to each player. The number of cards dealt can vary based on specific rule variations, but typically one player receives one more card than the other.

Turns

On a player's turn, they draw a card from the stock pile or take the top card from the discard pile. If the drawn or taken card can be used to form a set or run with cards already in their hand, the player melds these cards face up on the table. Players can also add to existing sets or runs already laid down by themselves or their opponent. After melding (if possible), the player discards one card face up onto the discard pile, ending their turn.

Winning

A player wins by either:

• Melding all of their cards.
• Declaring "Conquian" if they believe they can immediately meld all of their cards. This declaration is risky because if they cannot validly meld all their cards, they face a penalty.

Variations

Many variations of Conquian exist, often with slightly different rules regarding drawing, melding, scoring, and declaring "Conquian". Tong-its is a popular variation with distinct rules about the circumstances under which a player can declare "Tong-its" (similar to Conquian) to win.

Cultural Significance

Conquian holds significant cultural importance in the Philippines and is frequently played during social gatherings and family events. It is a game that emphasizes strategic thinking, observation, and a degree of risk-taking.