Tonk is a rummy-style card game typically played with 2 to 4 players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to get rid of all your cards by forming spreads (sets or runs) or by playing all your cards. Players are dealt 5 cards each, and the remaining deck forms a draw pile with one card flipped to start a discard pile. On a turn, a player draws one card either from the draw pile or the discard pile, lays down spread(s) if possible, and then discards one card. The game can be won immediately if a player has a special hand called a "tonk" (5 cards totaling 49 or 50 points), or by getting rid of all cards either by laying down spreads or hitting (playing on another player's spread). Players can also win by "dropping," where a player ends the game claiming to have fewer points than others, and the lowest-scoring hand wins. The game has monetary stakes in some versions, but it can be played just for points. Here is a basic overview of how to play Tonk:
- Use a standard 52-card deck (jokers typically removed).
- Deal 5 cards to each player.
- The leftover cards form the draw pile, and flip one card to start the discard pile.
- Players take turns drawing and discarding cards.
- A "spread" can be laid down: either 3 or more cards of the same rank ("book") or 3 or more consecutive cards of the same suit ("run").
- Players may also "hit" onto other players' spreads.
- A player wins if they get rid of all their cards by spreading or hitting or by having a "tonk" hand at the start.
- Another way to win is by "dropping" if a player believes they have the least points; the player with the lowest points wins after cards are revealed.
- If the draw pile runs out, the player with the lowest points in hand wins.
- Points are usually counted with face cards as 10, aces as 1, and others at face value.
This game is often played for money with agreed stakes but can also be casual. There are many variations in rules and scoring. Would you like a step-by-step guide on how a game typically progresses or details on scoring and specific moves? This summary is based on various sources including game tutorials and Wikipedia.
