Phom, also known as Ta La or Tu Lo Kho, is a beloved card game deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture, especially popular in the northern regions. While it's called Ta La in the South, it's referred to as Phom in the North. The objective of Phom is to skillfully collect and discard cards to form sets called Phom and minimize the total score of cards not in Phom. Played with a standard 52-card deck and offering various playing styles, the game becomes even more engaging. It's a staple at family gatherings and holiday celebrations, providing endless entertainment for friends and family.
Terms in Phom, Ta La
- Phom: A set of 3 or more cards of the same suit in consecutive order or three cards of the same value.
- Junk cards: Cards that do not belong to any Phom.
- Ù: Achieving 3 Phoms, resulting in no junk cards, making the player an absolute winner.
- Stomach: The remaining cards after dealing to the players.
- Mom: When a player can't form any Phom at the end of the game, they're called "Mom."
- Take the pin: In the last turn, playing a junk card that another player takes.
- Send: In the final turn, if a player's junk card can be added to another's Phom, it can be sent, and won't be counted in the final score.
- Compensation: If a player takes the pin in the last turn and another player Ùs afterward, the player who took the pin is compensated. The next player to take a pin will have to pay the first one. Also, getting 3 consecutive cards counts as compensation.
- Re: After playing cards, if another player at the table plays, the played cards are transferred, allowing an additional turn.
How to Play Phom - Ta La
Number of Players: At least 2, typically up to 4. Each player receives 9 cards, while the dealer or winner gets 10. The remaining cards form the Stomach, placed face-down in the center.
Gameplay: Starts counterclockwise from the player with 10 cards.
- The first player discards a card. The next player can take this card if it forms a Phom or draw from the Stomach.
- After taking or drawing a card, the player discards one card, and the next player repeats the process.
- This continues until someone Ùs or 4 rounds are completed without anyone Ùing.
End of Game: The game ends when a player Ùs. If no one Ùs, it ends after 4 rounds, and points are calculated based on remaining junk cards.
Last Turn: Players must lay down all their Phoms, send any possible cards, and discard their final card. Points are then calculated from remaining junk cards.
Point Calculation for Junk Cards
- Winner Determination: The player with the lowest junk card score wins.
- Card Values: A, J, Q, K are valued at 1, 11, 12, 13 respectively. Other cards are valued according to their number.
- Tiebreaker: If scores are tied, the player who discards first wins.
Final Score Calculation
- First Place: +6 points
- Second Place: -1 point
- Third Place: -2 points
- Last Place: -3 points
- Taking the Pin: -4 points
- Giving the Pin: +4 points
- Ù or Ù Khan: +15 points (each other player loses 5 points)
- Burned/Burnt: Loses 4 points to the winner.
Note: Phom - Ta La is purely for entertainment and does not involve real money transactions or rewards. For support, please contact [email protected].
In addition to Phom Ta La online, we offer other engaging online card games such as Tien Len Mien Nam, Poker - Hong Kong Poker, Mau Binh - Gray Binhxap, Tien Len Counting Leaves, and Tien Len North.
What's New in the Latest Version 737.4
Last updated on Jul 18, 2024 - Reduced game size and fixed issues with account suspension in-game.
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