If a player is unable to beat a card or combination, they may pass the turn over to the next player – and draw a card from the pass pile (if any). For example, if a 6 of diamonds was put down, a card of a higher value must be used to beat it – this includes a 6 of any higher suit, or a card with a numerical above 6 if a pair of cards were played, then a stronger pair must be used to beat it (more elaboration under the “combinations” section).

The other players take turns clock-wise to climb above the value of the previous card(s) that were put down by their opponents.

Said player also determines the number of cards each player must play during that round – if the first player plays with only one card, all other players must play with one card if the first player plays with a combination, all other players must play with the number of cards in that combination. The player with the weakest card (3 of diamonds) starts the round by putting the aforementioned card down (either singly or with whatever combination it can make) onto the table facing up. To start the game, gather three other players – you can also play Dai Di with two or three players but four is ideal – and distribute a shuffled deck between yourselves equally, any extra cards can be put into the “pass” pile. Therefore, the weakest card in the game would be the 3 of diamonds, and the strongest is the 2 of spades.

The suits ascend in value in the following order: diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades. The cards of the smallest value are the 3s, followed by the 4s, and so on and so forth till the picture cards. The value of each card or combination comes from the numerical of the card(s) used, as well as their suits. The aim of Dai Di is to get rid all of all the cards in your hand by constantly one-upping your opponents with cards played singly or in certain poker combinations (2 cards, 3 cards, or 5 cards).

Popular chinese card games