Learn Both Classics: How to Play the 13 Card Game and Three Thirteen

 Thirteen Card Game: Rules & How to Play

Thirteen is a classic climbing card game, typically for 2–6 players, where the goal is to be the first to play all your cards. It is especially popular in various cultural versions, including the Indian 13-card rummy.

 Setup & Deal

• Use one or two standard 52-card decks, depending on the number of players.

• Each player is dealt 13 cards, one at a time.

• The remaining cards form a face-down draw pile.

• The top card of the draw pile is turned face-up to start the discard pile.

 Objective

Be the first player to get rid of all your cards by playing valid combinations in turns.

 Gameplay Overview

• The player with the 3 of spades starts the first round (in later rounds, the last winner begins).

• Play proceeds clockwise.

• Players can play:

  • Single cards

  • Pairs, three- or four-of-a-kind

  • Sequences of 3 or more cards in the same suit

• The suits are ranked: Hearts (highest) → Diamonds → Clubs → Spades (lowest).

• A player may also pass their turn if they cannot or do not wish to play.

 Special Rules & Variations

• In some versions, bidding takes place at the start of each round—each player bids how many tricks they expect to take (from 0 to 13).

• Some rounds vary the number of cards dealt and include wild cards (e.g., in one round, 3s and jokers may be wild).

• In Indian Rummy, players aim to form valid sets and sequences; a pure sequence (without jokers) is often required to declare.

 Winning the Game

The first player to play all their cards wins. In partnership play, bids are summed and compared to tricks won to determine scoring.