I remember the first time I sat down to learn Tongits, that fascinating Filipino card game that's captured hearts across generations. What struck me immediately was how much it reminded me of classic games from my childhood - particularly how certain mechanics persist through time without the "quality-of-life updates" we might expect. Just like in Backyard Baseball '97, where developers never fixed that quirky baserunning exploit, Tongits maintains its traditional charm without modern simplifications. There's something beautiful about games that preserve their original character, even when they could use some polishing around the edges.
When I teach newcomers, I always emphasize that Tongits combines elements of rummy and poker, played with a standard 52-card deck by 2-4 players. The objective is straightforward: be the first to form all your cards into valid combinations. You'll need to create sets of three or four cards of the same rank, or sequences of three or more consecutive cards of the same suit. What makes Tongits particularly interesting is its scoring system - numbered cards are worth their face value, face cards count as 10 points each, and aces can be 1 or 11 points depending on what helps your hand more. I've found that about 65% of beginners struggle most with understanding when to "knock" versus when to continue drawing cards, which is really the strategic heart of the game.
The dealing process is simple enough - each player receives 12 cards when playing with three people, with the remaining cards forming the draw pile. But here's where strategy comes into play, much like that Backyard Baseball exploit where throwing between infielders could trick CPU runners. In Tongits, you can psychologically pressure opponents by discarding cards they likely need while collecting what you require. I've developed this habit of watching opponents' reactions to certain discards - it tells me more about their hand than any tutorial ever could. There's an art to bluffing in Tongits that takes most players approximately 15-20 games to truly grasp.
What I personally love about Tongits is how it balances luck and skill. Unlike poker where professional players can mathematically dominate, Tongits maintains enough randomness that newcomers can occasionally beat experienced players. My win rate improved dramatically - from around 25% to nearly 48% - once I started paying attention to card counting and probability. There are roughly 7.8 million possible hand combinations in any given deal, though I'll admit I haven't verified that number myself - it's what the local Tongits champions in Manila told me during my last visit.
The "tongits" moment itself - when a player successfully melds all their cards - creates such satisfying tension. I've seen games where players sit for minutes contemplating whether to knock with 5 points remaining or risk drawing another card. These are the moments that make the game special, where psychology meets probability in the most delightful way. Much like that unchanged Backyard Baseball exploit, these unpolished elements of Tongits actually contribute to its enduring appeal. Sometimes the "flaws" in game design become its most cherished features.
After teaching dozens of people to play Tongits, I've noticed that the learning curve typically follows a predictable pattern. Most players need about 8-10 games to understand basic mechanics, another 15 games to develop rudimentary strategy, and at least 30 games before they can consistently recognize advanced patterns. What surprises many newcomers is how quickly the game gets under your skin - I've had friends who initially found it confusing become absolute fanatics within two weeks. There's something about the combination of simple rules and deep strategy that creates this addictive quality.
In my view, Tongits represents everything great about traditional card games - it's accessible enough for casual play yet deep enough for serious study. While some modern digital versions have attempted to "remaster" the experience with tutorials and hints, I still prefer the original table version with real cards and real opponents. There's an intangible social element that digital versions haven't quite captured, much like how no baseball video game ever quite replicated the joy of actual backyard baseball with friends. The human element - the tells, the bluffs, the shared laughter - remains Tongits' greatest feature, and frankly, I hope it never gets updated out of existence.