Tips tichu

Use the strategy guide from here

https://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Games/Tichu/tichu_strategy.html

Passing cards

• Even right, odd left, third best single card to your partner.
• Or: See the tips below and pass either the third worst card or the best card to your partner. And pass even to behind and odd to before (since the order of play can be either clockwise or counter-clockwise)

• Pass the Dragon to your partner if you are unlikely to make a Tichu bet.

Using the 1

• When using the 1 you can choose not to ask for a card using the empty set symbol Ø. This may be a good idea when you play a straight for example.
• Also for use of the 1; you may like to ask for the card you gave the player next to you.
• Consider not asking for the card you gave to the player next to you. Instead wish for a number you do not see in your hand to pull out a possible bomb or break up a possible combination.
• If the player behind you has called a Grand Tichu you may like to ask for an Ace.
• If behind in points you can ask for a 6 or a 10 to create more chaos.

General play

• Remember what cards have already been played; especially the aces, dragon, and phoenix.

All special cards: Dragon, Phoenix, Dog and 1

• Keep them all within team.

Play Order Of Aces

• If you have more than 1 Ace (and your partner has given you an Ace during the card exchange phase), play your partner’s Ace last
• If you’ve given your partner an Ace, remember it’s color and observe whether your partner plays it first (meaning that’s the only Ace in their hand), or whether they play a different color ace from the one you gave them (meaning they have more than 1 Ace in their hand). You can often use this information to guide your play.

Tracking Points

Track the points each team has earned as the round is played. With clever play, you can sometimes score more than the other team even though they have called and fulfilled their small Tichu.

If the other team has called tichu, tracking points allows you to play in such a way as to minimize the points the opposing team gains from their Tichu call.

When To Call Grand Tichu

If the score is tied or close, call Grand Tichu with AAA, DR + A, PH + A in your first 8 cards.

If behind in score by 200-300 points, consider calling Grand Tichu with hands containing AA, solo PH and/or solo DR.

If behind in score by 400 or more points, consider calling Grand Tichu with just solo Ace in your first 8 cards.

Be more aggressive and expand the list of hands you will call with Grand Tichu when your team is behind in score. Be more conservative and play it safe, and call Grand Tichu less often when your team is ahead in score.

Memory And Attention To Detail

Remember what cards have been played, the points gained by each team as the round progresses, and the color ace given to you or that you gave.

Sometimes, your team will score more points if you go out 4th in the round instead of going out 3rd. You’ll only realize this if you track points earned by each team during the round as it plays out.

Passing Cards To Partner During The Card Exchange Phase

In general, if you have only 1 Phoenix/Dragon in your hand, and no aces, and you don’t think you can call small Tichu with the cards you see, give the Dragon/Phoenix to your partner instead.

In general, if you have 1 Phoenix and 1 Ace in your hand, consider keeping both of these cards and giving a lower card to your partner, so you can call small Tichu.

If you have Phoenix + Dragon in your hand, but no Ace, consider giving either Phoenix or Dragon to your partner (during the early stage or mid stage of the game) Sometimes, trying to keep both the Phoenix and Dragon in your hand, with no Ace, while calling small Tichu will create a situation where your team scores 95 and the other team score 105.

During the late stage of the game, when your team is close to 900 points, you can afford to give much lower cards to your partner (plus keep Phoenix and Dragon) for that 1 small Tichu call. You will just need 1 small Tichu call to win the game if close to 1000 points.