The goal of Tongist is to score the most points by winning tricks, collecting valuable cards, and strategically managing your resources. Players must balance risk and reward to outwit their opponents.

Setup
Players: 2–6 players.

Deck: Use a standard 52-card deck. For larger groups, add a second deck.

Deal: Shuffle the deck and deal 7 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards in the center as the draw pile.

Tokens: Each player starts with 5 tokens (or chips) representing their resources.

Card Values
Number Cards (2–10): Face value (e.g., 5 of Hearts = 5 points).

Face Cards (Jack, Queen, King): 10 points each.

Ace: 15 points.

Special Cards:

Joker (if using): Acts as a wild card and is worth 20 points.

2 of Spades: The “Tongist Card” – worth 25 points but can only be played under specific conditions.

Gameplay
Turns: The player to the left of the dealer goes first. Play proceeds clockwise.

Tricks: Each player plays one card per turn. The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick. The winner collects the cards and starts the next trick.

Leading Suit: The first player in a trick chooses the suit. Other players must follow suit if possible. If they cannot, they may play any card.

Tongist Card (2 of Spades): This card can only be played if a player cannot follow suit. It automatically wins the trick unless another player also plays the Tongist Card.

Tokens: Players can spend tokens to perform special actions:

Swap: Spend 1 token to swap one card from your hand with the top card of the draw pile.

Bluff: Spend 2 tokens to challenge the value of a card played by another player. If the card is not what it was claimed to be, the challenger gains 5 points. If it is, the challenger loses 2 tokens.

Double Down: Spend 3 tokens to double the point value of the next trick you win.

Scoring
At the end of each round (when all cards have been played):

Count the points from the cards you’ve collected in your tricks.

Add bonus points:

Most Tricks: +10 points.

Tongist Card: +25 points (if collected).

Perfect Hand: If you win all 7 tricks in a round, +50 points.

Deduct points for unspent tokens (each token = -2 points).

Winning
Play multiple rounds until one player reaches 200 points (or another agreed-upon total).

The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

Optional Variations
Team Play: Play in teams of 2, combining scores with your partner.

Time Limit: Set a timer for each turn to speed up gameplay.

Power Cards: Introduce additional special cards with unique abilities