Sasaki
Sasaki is a climbing card game with temporary partnerships determined by the location of the red 10s.
Sasaki is similar to Tichu or Chinese climbing game Red Ten, and this is one of the most popular games in North Korea. It is named after one of the special combinations that can be played: Sasaki means 44A, that is two Fours and one Ace.
Number of players: 3 - 4
Game duration: 20 mn
Complexity: 2 / 5
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Play Sasaki and 1250 other games online.
No download necessary - play directly from your web browser.
With your friends and thousands of players from the whole world.
Free.
Rules summary
Game Overview
In the realm of Japanese card games, players challenge each other in Sasaki, a tactical climbing game for 3 to 4 people. Thematically, you take on the role of a strategist aiming to discard your cards faster than your rivals to climb the social ladder. Mechanically, you use a modified French deck to maintain control of the table by playing increasingly stronger card combinations, forcing your opponents into difficult positions.
Goal of the Game
The goal is to be the first player to discard all hand cards. The first to finish receives the highest score, while others receive penalties based on their remaining cards and finishing order.
Gameplay
Preparation
- A standard 52-card deck plus 2 Jokers is used.
- In a 3-player game, the 2s (except the 2 of Hearts) are removed to balance the deck.
- All cards are dealt equally. The player holding the 3 of Hearts starts the first round.
Climbing the Deck
Play proceeds clockwise. A player leads a card or a combination. The next player must:
- Beat the Hand: Play a combination of the same type (e.g., single, pair, triple) but with a higher value.
- Pass: If unable or unwilling to play. Once you pass, you cannot rejoin the current trick sequence.
Winning a Trick
A trick ends when everyone except one player has passed. That player clears the cards and leads the next round with any combination of their choice.
Card Rankings & Combinations
| Type | Ranking / Rule |
|---|---|
| Singles | 3 (lowest) to 2 (highest). Jokers are the most powerful cards. |
| Pairs/Triples | Must be beaten by a higher value of the exact same quantity. |
| Revolution | Playing a set of 4 cards of the same rank reverses the card hierarchy. |
| Jokers | Can be used as wildcards in combinations or as the highest individual cards. |
Game End & Scoring
- A match usually consists of several rounds (e.g., until a player reaches 100 points).
- The first player to finish gains 30 points. The last player receives 0 points and must give their best card to the winner in the following round (Tribute system).