• 3 Card Tonk Card Game Rules
• Tonk Cards Games

The goal is to obtain a hand that totals 31 in cards of one suit; or to have a hand at the showdown whose count in one suit is higher than that of any other player. A (high), K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (low) Card Values/Scoring. An Ace counts 11 points, face cards count 10 points, and all other cards count their face value. Rules of TONKOUT. Tonkout is a card game that you can play with between 2 and 4 players with a standard 52 deck of cards. Tonkout is played for points or for fun but can be played for money with a stake agreed on before the game starts. The stakes may be any amount, but are typically small because Tonkout is fast and furious.

Tonk is played with a standard deck of 52 playing cards and each card has a point value in the game. All picture cards are worth 10 points, but aces are worth only 1 point.

The rest of the cards are worth their face value in points. A 2 is worth 2 points, a 3 is worth 3 points, and so on.

Starting a Game

If there’s money on the game, then the stakes need to be agreed upon before starting. The usual procedure is for each participating player to put up a fixed amount of money per hand, with the winner of a hand then taking that fixed amount from each player. A game can consist of several hands.

Players then cut the cards to determine who will be the first dealer. Whichever player gets the highest card will deal first, and the deal then passes clockwise on all subsequent hands.

To begin a hand, each player is dealt three, five, seven, or twelve cards face down. The number of cards dealt depends on the number of players taking part.

If a player is dealt cards that give them a total points value of 50, they must declare this immediately. This is known as a tonk, and it wins the hand immediately. When a player wins with a tonk they win double the normal stakes from each player.

Some people also play the rules where a points value of 49 is a tonk, and some where a points value of 11 or lower is a Tonk. When playing with these rules, it’s normal that a tonk of 50 will beat one of 49, which will beat one of 11.

Assuming there is no tonk, the dealer turns over the first undealt card face up to start the discard pile. The rest of the undealt cards are placed face down to start the stock pile. Play then starts to the dealers’ left and continues in a clockwise direction.

On their turn, a player must take one card from either the discard pile or the stockpile, and throw away one card by placing it face up on the top of the discard pile. Below is a screenshot from a game of tonk being played online.

The aim of the game is to use your cards to form spreads. A spread is made up of three or more cards of the same rank (for example three 10s or four jacks) or three or more cards of the same suit in sequence (for example 3, 4, 5, 6 of diamonds).

When you have a spread in your hand, then you can place that spread down during your turn by laying it down in front of you on the playing surface face up.

During your turn you may also add cards to any spreads you have previously put down or any spreads any other player has put down.

Winning a Hand

We’ve already mentioned how a hand can be won at the very beginning by having a tonk, but there are other ways to win too.

The first player to do this wins the hand. They are then paid the agreed stake by each of the other players.

You can also win a hand by what is known as dropping. This can usually only be done at the start of your turn, before drawing, but some people play rules where you can do this after drawing too.

To drop you must place all of your cards face up on the table, and all the other players must then do the same.

If you drop and do not have the lowest points value this is known as being caught. You’ll have to pay the previously agreed stake to each player that has a lower points value than you.

In addition, the player that has the lowest points value is the winner of the hand and receives the agreed stake from each player, including you.

Each player adds up the points value of the cards in their hand, and the player with the lowest value is the winner. They receive the agreed stake from each player.

Other popular card games that are not dissimilar to Tonk include rummy and spades. We have guides to those games, too, on the following pages.

You can play easily both of these games, and Tonk, at home for fun. You can even play for money if you have friends and family that are happy to gamble with you. However, there aren’t many places where you can play these games online for real money.

If you want to gamble online, your best options are to play card games such as blackjack, baccarat, and poker. Here’s a list of online casinos that we recommend if that’s something you’d like to try. These are all safe and reputable places to play, and they all offer bonuses to new customers.

There’s nothing that can bring a group of people together with a good card game. A good game of cards plus food and drinks is never a bad way to spend a weekend with friends and loved ones.

When it comes to card games, it’s hard to go wrong with poker.

However, if you feel that poker night is “all played out,” you should consider to change things up.

In this case, why not try playing Tonk the card game with your poker buddies?

In this article, we’ll teach you how to play Tonk and some useful tips to help you win.

What is Tonk the Card Game?

Tonk is a very well-known game of cards which is essentially the African-American variant of poker.

Its popularity is attributed to the fact that it’s a fun card game to play in groups and the rules are very easy to follow. Like poker, a Tonk card game is usually played with stakes (usually money) and must be agreed upon before starting the game.

It’s a fairly fast-paced card game so you need to be on your toes when playing with other people. It is usually played between two to six players.

Below, we’ll explain everything you need to know about the card game called Tonk.

Getting Started

To play a Tonk card game, you need a regular deck of 52 cards.

Each of the cards has a certain point in them. All the face cards are valued at 10 points, Aces are only worth 1 point, while the remaining cards are worth their face value. This means a 3 is worth 3 points, a 4 is worth 4 points, and so on.

3 Card Tonk Card Game Rules

Set aside the Jokers if your deck has them.

As mentioned, the stakes of the game must be pre-determined before starting. Each player should agree to wager a certain amount of money with each hand. The winner for that hand will take all the agreed amount from all participants.

It is important to note that players can play many hands in a single game.

Players will then cut the cards to determine the first dealer. Whoever draws the highest card gets to deal first, and then dealing duty passes clockwise.

For the starting hand, all participants are dealt with either 3, 5, 7 or 12 cards, facing down. The card numbers that are dealt will depend according to the number of participants.

The Tonk

Each player must aim to achieve a Tonk which is pretty much an instant win. This is when the dealt cards give the player a total of 50 points, and should be instantly declared.

When you get a Tonk, you will double your winnings from each player.

How to Play

When there’s no Tonk, the game proceeds as normal.

The dealer will turn over the first undealt card facing up – this becomes the start of the discard pile. The remaining undealt cards should be faced down and this becomes the stock pile.

The game then proceeds from the left of the dealer and will move on in a clockwise fashion.

On a player’s turn, he or she must take one card from either the discard or stock pile. The player will then have to get rid of one card by playing it face up atop the discard pile.

The main objective is to utilize the cards to create a spread.

A spread consists of three or more cards with similar rank or a set of cards with the same suit in a sequence. Once you form a spread and your turn comes up, you can place it in front of you facing up.

During your turn, you also have the option to improve your spread by adding cards to your own spread or any spread that your opponents have placed.

Winning Conditions

As mentioned, one of the main ways to win is by a Tonk, but that doesn’t always happen.

There are other ways that you can win as well. The basic winning condition of a Tonk hand is by discarding all of your cards by creating new spreads or by cards to other existing spreads. The first one to accomplish this wins the agreed wager.

A hand can also be won with a drop. A drop is when players must all put all their cards face up. To win a drop, your cards should have the lowest point value. The winner receives the agreed amount from other participants.

Another Fun Alternative to Poker

Tonk the card game is definitely a fun alternative to poker and can be made more exciting with some stakes. Just remember to be always quick on your feet because this game does reward quick reactions. Have fun!

Tonk Cards Games

For more card games and tips, be sure to visit CardGameInfo.com for a wealth of card game rules and techniques.