Master the Games

Complete Game Rules

Learn the official rules, strategies, and scoring systems for both Marriage and Call Break card games.

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Marriage Rules

A popular three-pack Rummy game from Nepal

Introduction

Marriage is a popular three-pack Rummy game that originated in Nepal, especially in the Kathmandu valley. It's commonly played during Hindu festivals like Dashain and Tihar, and by card game enthusiasts throughout the year.

Players and Cards

  • 2-5 players can participate
  • Uses three standard 52-card decks (156 cards total)
  • Play moves clockwise
  • Each player is dealt 21 cards

Card Combinations

All valid combinations in Marriage consist of exactly three cards:

  • Tunnela (Tanella): Three identical cards (e.g., three 6 of hearts)
  • Pure Sequence: Three consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., 3-4-5 of spades)
  • Dirty Sequence: Two consecutive cards of the same suit plus a joker
  • Triplet: Three cards of the same rank but different suits (e.g., K♠-K♣-K♥)
  • Dirty Triplet: Two cards of the same rank but different suits plus a joker

Jokers (Wild Cards)

The game uses special wild cards called "jokers" determined during gameplay:

  • Tiplu: A randomly selected card that becomes a joker
  • Poplu: The card immediately above the tiplu in the same suit
  • Jhiplu: The card immediately below the tiplu in the same suit
  • Ordinary Jokers: Cards of the same rank as the tiplu in other suits
  • All these cards function as wild cards (jokers) and can substitute for any card
  • A combination of jhiplu-tiplu-poplu in the same suit is called a "marriage" - the most valuable combination

Gameplay

The game follows a draw-and-discard pattern:

  1. Player to dealer's left starts
  2. On your turn, draw either the top card from the face-down stack or the previous player's discard
  3. Discard one card face-up
  4. The first player to collect three tunnelas or pure sequences selects the tiplu card (which determines all jokers)
  5. Other players who later collect three tunnelas/pure sequences can look at the tiplu
  6. A player who has seen the tiplu cannot pick up a discarded joker

Alternative Strategy: Dublees

Instead of three-card combinations, players may collect dublees (pairs of identical cards):

  • A player needs eight dublees to win
  • After collecting seven dublees, the player can look at the tiplu
  • Jokers cannot be used when forming dublees

Ending the Game

The game ends when either:

  • A player who has seen the tiplu forms seven valid combinations (three initial combinations plus four more)
  • A player collects eight dublees (pairs)

Scoring

Points are scored for:

  • Maal cards (tiplu, poplu, jhiplu) in hand
  • Tunnelas declared at the beginning of the game
  • Marriages (jhiplu-tiplu-poplu of the same suit)
  • The winner receives points from other players based on whether they've seen the joker
  • Players with dublees receive bonus points

Call Break Rules

A strategic trick-taking card game popular in South Asia

Introduction

Call Break is a popular trick-taking card game widely played in Nepal, India, and other South Asian countries. It's similar to Spades but with unique bidding and scoring rules that make it especially engaging.

Players and Cards

  • Played with exactly 4 players
  • Uses a standard 52-card deck
  • Each player is dealt 13 cards
  • Spades (♠) are always trump cards

Card Rankings

Cards in each suit rank from highest to lowest:

  • Ace (highest) → King → Queen → Jack → 10 → 9 → ... → 2 (lowest)
  • Spades always beat other suits regardless of card rank

Game Flow

  1. Bidding: Each player makes a "call" (bid) for the number of tricks they expect to win (minimum 1)
  2. Gameplay: 13 rounds of trick-taking (one card played by each player per round)
  3. Scoring: Points awarded based on performance against the bid
  4. Rounds: A full game typically consists of 5 rounds (or more, as agreed)

Trick-Taking Rules

  • First player for each trick can lead with any card
  • Other players must follow the led suit if possible
  • If unable to follow suit, players may play any card (including trumps)
  • Highest card of the led suit wins the trick, unless a spade is played
  • If any spades are played, the highest spade wins the trick
  • Winner of each trick leads the next trick

Detailed Scoring

Call Break uses a unique scoring system:

  • Bid Achieved Exactly: Player gets 10 points + the bid value
  • Bid Exceeded: Player gets the bid value + 1 point for each extra trick
  • Bid Not Met: Player loses 10 points (negative score)

Scoring Examples

  • Player bids 5, wins exactly 5 tricks: 5 + 10 = 15 points
  • Player bids 6, wins 8 tricks: 6 + 2 = 8 points
  • Player bids 7, wins 5 tricks: -10 points (failed to meet bid)

Strategy Tips

  • Bid conservatively if you have few spades
  • Save high spades for capturing important tricks
  • When leading, consider starting with a high card of a suit where you have few cards
  • Keep track of which spades have been played
  • Be careful with Aces of non-trump suits - they're easily trumped

Winner Determination

The player with the highest total score after all rounds (typically 5) is the winner of the game.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Marriage and Call Break games

What makes Marriage different from other Rummy games?

Marriage is unique because of its joker system. The tiplu, poplu, and jhiplu cards create a special dynamic not found in other Rummy variants. Additionally, the option to collect dublees (pairs) as an alternative strategy gives players more flexibility.

Can I use jokers in Call Break?

No, Call Break is played with a standard 52-card deck with no jokers. Spades serve as permanent trump cards, which is somewhat similar to how jokers function in other games.

What is the maximum number of points possible in a Marriage game?

The maximum points vary based on the specific scoring system being used. However, a player with multiple marriages (jhiplu-tiplu-poplu combinations) and tunnelas can score very high, potentially 50+ points in a single hand.

Is it better to bid high or low in Call Break?

It depends on your hand. The safest strategy is to bid conservatively (what you're confident you can achieve) because failing to meet your bid results in negative points. However, successful high bids can give you a significant lead. The ideal approach is to assess your hand strength, particularly your spades, before deciding.

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