Tongits game is an integral part of every Filipino household. Friends and families love to play this strategic, full-of-twists, and high-action card game. Beginners and experts; all kinds of players play Tongits online or offline.

New players who are learning how to play Tongits may find the game a little overwhelming, not because of its rules but because of the common mistakes they keep on making without realising. And the interesting part is that all of these mistakes are quite avoidable. Let’s understand these common Tongits mistakes beginners can make and how to avoid them.

1. Hoarding cards and waiting for too long to create Melds

The objective of a Tongits game is to arrange cards in Melds and reduce total points. Many new players stick to this objective and avoid every other aspect of the game. They keep on waiting to create the “perfect” Melds. They might have 2 big cards in their hand and they hold on to those cards in the wait of other cards to create a long Run (more than 3 cards) or a big Set (i.e. Straight flush of J, Q, K). Before they know, another player calls “Tongits” or initiates a “Challenge” and they are caught off guard with high cards in their hand, costing them the game.

Why is it a mistake:

While, Tongits game is all about creating Melds, another major aspect of the game is to reduce the points. Sometimes, it also includes letting go of the cards that seemed perfect for a Set or Run. The idea is to keep the hand flexible and never fixate too hard on a potential Meld.

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

• Create your first Meld and lay it off as quickly as possible
• Don’t chase bigger Melds (4 or more cards). Prioritize 3-card Melds even if they aren’t your best possible arrangements.
• Keep reducing your points in smaller chunks without relying solely on one perfect Meld to reduce more points in one go.

Special tip

If there is a possibility of creating two different Melds, always prioritize the one that reduces more total points, instead of that “feels” better or satisfying. For example: A Straight Flush of 4,5,6 and 7, might feel perfect, but will reduce only 22 points from your tally. Whereas, a simple Run of 8,8,8 will reduce 24 points. In this case, go for the Run instead of the Straight Flush.

2. Not paying attention to the Discard Pile

Every beginner makes this simple yet costly Tongits mistake. They only pay attention to the cards in their hand and ignore the cards their opponents are discarding on the table.

Why is it a mistake:

Whether you play Tongits online or offline, the discard pile is a sneak peek into your opponent’s Tongits game strategy. The discard pile tells you:

• The cards your opponents need and don’t need
• The suits and card ranks they are after
• The cards you should not discard, even if you don’t need them
• The cards that can block your opponents’ Melds and Sapaw

In order to understand how to play Tongits like a pro, you need to become a proficient reader of the discard pile.

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

• Before making any move, always take a look at the discard pile
• Make a note of the suits your opponents are picking up
• Do not discard the cards that are similar to the ones your opponents are picking up

Special tip

Block your opponent’s Melds by holding on to the cards that are closer to the cards they just picked up. Example: If your opponent just picked up a 10♠️, don’t discard 9♠️ or J♠️. They might need these cards for their Run.

3. Discarding high-value cards too quickly or too late

One of the most shared Tongits tips is to discard high-value cards like K, Q, J, 10 quickly to reduce your total points. But nobody tells you how “quickly” is “too quickly”. Because if you wait for just the right time, and you are able to create a Meld using these cards, you are instantly in a very comfortable position in the game. But again, if you wait too long, it can very well cost you the game, too.

Why is it a mistake:

• If you discard high cards early in the game, then it might help your opponent create an Meld easily.
• In case any of the opponents is ready to end the round unexpectedly and you are still holding on to the high cards, it can cost you the game.

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

• Hold on to the high-value cards if they fit into a potential Meld in the next 2 turns.
• Make sure you discard high cards only when it is safe to do so and does not benefit your opponent.
• Keep observing if your opponents are collecting face cards.

Special tip:

If you have connecting face cards, for instance - J♦️ and Q♦️, you can wait for a turn or two to see if you get a K♦️ or 10♦️ to complete a big Meld. Otherwise, discard one of the them on your third turn.

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4. Relying only on one strategy

Another extremely costly mistake beginners make in a Tongits game. Never follow a uni-directional approach of chasing only Sets or only Runs. Some players also focus only on winning by calling “Tongits” in every round. It makes your game very predictable.

Why is it a mistake:

Tongits is a very flexible game that requires dynamic strategy. Every strong strategy will be based on the following:

• The cards you draw
• What cards are your opponents discarding
• How thin or thick the Closed Pile is at certain points of the game
• Whether any opponent is playing to initiate a Challenge on their next turn

Basically, in order to fully master the basics of “how to play Tongits," you need to keep in mind everything we just discussed at all times.

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

• Try to create short Melds right from the beginning and keep expanding on those.
• Crack the pattern of your opponent’s discards and alter your strategy accordingly.
• Make your strategy with a mix of both offensive and defensive moves.

5. Playing with emotions

A Tongits game can become competitive quickly. A couple of rounds not going their way can force players to give in to emotions. It is at this time that people start making common Tongits mistakes, such as discarding recklessly, picking up wrong cards, and making risky decisions.

Why is it a mistake:

When you play emotionally, your game becomes predictable. Experienced players pick up on this pattern very quickly and start taking advantage of it.

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

• Always remember the basics: reduce points, form short Melds you can expand, and discard safely.
• If you are losing consistently, slow down and take a break.
• If you are playing Tongits online, make sure you have scheduled a break time after every few games.

Pro Tip

See each round as a separate game from the previous round. Do not try to chase losses or target a specific player. Always play for fun.

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6. Starting a “Challenge” too early or too late.

Timing a “Challenge” is extremely important in Tongits. Some new players call for a “Challenge” as soon as they create their first Meld, while others wait too long and miss the chance when they have the lowest points on the table.

Why is it a mistake:

If you mistime your “Challenge”, it can lead to:

• Throwing away the advantage and handing it to an opponent
• Losing a round even with a good hand

Tips to avoid this Tongits mistake:

Call for a “Challenge” only if:

• You have a very low point tally
• Your opponents are unable to create any Meld
• You are sure that Closed Pile is almost over
• You are certain that you have lower points than at least one opponent

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Conclusion - Tongits mistakes & their impact

It is clear that any strategy is incomplete if it relies only on knowing the rules and does not help you avoid common Tongits mistakes. In order to avoid mistakes in a Tongits game, just follow these basics and they will always guide you well: reduce total points as quickly as possible, track your opponents’ moves, create short and expandable Melds, and never let emotions run amok. These basics will help you avoid common Tongits mistakes in both offline as well as online games.

Common questions about Tongits mistakes

How to win Tongits games consistently?

• Stick to fundamentals
• Focus on reducing points
• Practise Tongits online and devise a strategy that suits your game style
• Keep calibrating and honing your strategy as you gain more experience

What are the most common Tongits mistakes?

• Holding on to cards for too long
• Not observing the cards your opponents are discarding
• Focusing only on one strategy
• Playing with emotions