Tien Len is a Vietnamese shedding card game for four players, each playing alone with a full 52-card deck — 13 cards per hand. The 3 is the lowest card and the 2 the highest. The holder of the 3 of spades leads the first trick; every later play must beat the previous combo with the same type, the same number of cards and a higher decisive rank, or pass. A four-of-a-kind beats anything. The first player to empty their hand wins the deal.
Play now — it's freeThe whole 52-card deck is used — all four suits (spades ♠, hearts ♥, diamonds ♦, clubs ♣), no cards removed. Each of the four players is dealt 13 cards.
Everyone plays for themselves; there are no partnerships in Tien Len.
| Card | Strength |
|---|---|
| 2 | Highest — beats every other single card |
| Ace (A) | Second highest |
| King (K) | Next after the Ace |
| Queen (Q) | Next after the King |
| Jack (J) | Next after the Queen |
| 10 | Next after the Jack |
| 9 down to 3 | Descending to the 3, the lowest card |
Suits are equal in strength overall, but two single cards of the same rank are separated by suit: spades ♠ highest, then clubs ♣, then diamonds ♦, and hearts ♥ lowest.
You can play a single card or a combination — these six are the only legal ones:
| Combo | Made of | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single | One card | Equal ranks are broken by suit |
| Pair | Two cards of the same rank | — |
| Triple | Three cards of the same rank | — |
| Bomb (four of a kind) | Four cards of the same rank | Beats any combo; only a higher bomb beats a bomb |
| Straight | Three or more consecutive ranks | Suits may be mixed; the 2 never joins a straight |
| Consecutive pairs | Two or more pairs of consecutive ranks | Four or more cards (even count); the 2 never joins |
The first trick of every deal is led by the holder of the 3 of spades (3♠), and that card must be part of the leading combo — played alone or inside a bigger combination.
Whoever beats everyone in a trick leads the next one with any combo they choose.
To beat the combo on the table you must play the same combo type with the same number of cards and a higher decisive rank: a pair of 7s is only beaten by a higher pair, and a five-card straight only by a higher five-card straight.
Singles are the one exception to rank-only comparison: two single cards of the same rank are separated by suit (♠, then ♣, then ♦, then ♥), which makes the 3 of spades the strongest of all 3s.
If you cannot or do not want to beat the combo, you pass. When everyone else has passed, the trick is closed and its winner leads the next one.
A bomb (four of a kind) is the only combo that beats across types — it crushes anything on the table, and only a higher bomb can stop it.
The deal ends the moment one player plays the last card from their hand — that player wins the deal regardless of what the others still hold.
On stake tables the winner collects three times the table stake (one stake from each of the three losers), and everyone else forfeits one stake. Free zero-stake tables are always available.
Stake tiers: free, 100, 1,000 and 10,000 chips — paid tables require a sufficient balance before joining.
A session is a run of deals at the same table: the first player to win three deals takes the session.
Every turn is limited to 15 seconds, so a table never stalls on one player.
Do not waste your bombs and 2s early — they are your endgame power to flip a close deal.
Shed your low singles (3s, 4s, 5s) at the first chance before they become dead weight.
Keep consecutive pairs together where you can; breaking them early costs you late-trick power.
Watch every hand count: a player down to two or three cards is about to reveal deuces — have a bomb or a higher 2 ready.
Holding the 3 of spades? Pick an opening that sheds your weakest card, whether a lone low card or a combo that contains the 3♠.
The full 52-card deck in all four suits, with no cards removed — each of the four players is dealt 13 cards.
Four players, each playing for themselves — there are no teams or partners.
The 2 is the highest card, followed by the Ace, King, Queen and Jack; the 3 is the lowest card in the game.
The holder of the 3 of spades leads the first trick, and that card must be included in their first combo.
No — straights and consecutive pairs run through consecutive ranks up to the Ace only; the 2 never joins either combo.
Four of a kind. A bomb beats any combo on the table, and only a higher four of a kind can beat a bomb.
As soon as one player has played all 13 of their cards — that player wins the deal immediately.
There is no counting of leftover cards in this version: the winner takes three times the table stake, each remaining player forfeits one stake, and free zero-stake tables are always available.
Yes — you can play Tien Len online free at tienlen.yeeqia.com directly in your browser, no download or sign-up required to try a table.