How To Master The Tonk Card Game Online

Tonk is a simple, fast-paced game to learn and play. Although it is a lesser-known card game, it is considered one of the most enjoyable. If you’re looking for something different from classic games like Blackjack and Poker, then Tonk is the game for you. Continue reading to discover how to play Tonk, the rules of the games, and what the value of the cards mean.

How To Play Tonk

If you’re playing Tonk online, then you’ll be playing with up to 5 players, but the fewer players there are, means faster gameplay. Each game of Tonk includes multiple hands of cards, and you can double your stake for each hand, so be mindful when setting your first bet. To begin the game, the dealer will hand out between 5 to 7 cards depending on the type of Tonk you’re playing. Then, when the cards have been handed out, you need to add up the value of your hand.

Aces are 1 point

Each card from 2 through 10 is its face value, so a 4 is worth 4 points

The Jack, King and Queen are each worth 10 points.

If your hand is worth 50 points, you win the hand and double your stake immediately. However, if another player declares “Tonk”, then the hand is over, and the cards are dealt again. If no one calls Tonk straight after all cards have been dealt, the dealer will establish the stockpiles and discard pile. The discard pile will have one card facing upwards with the remaining cards in the deck being face down.

The Aim of the Game

The aim of Tonk is to create a “Spread”, also known as a “Run” or “Book”. As you draw and discard cards in your hand, remember to keep the ones that form sequences of 3 or more. These sequences must be in number order and of the same suit. For example, you have 2-3-4 of clubs. When you form enough sequences to call a “Spread”, you lay them down but keep your remaining cards. Even after you’ve laid cards down, you can continue to add to the spread as a way of getting rid of more cards.

With this, you can also end the round by “Dropping”, which you can do if the total point value of the cards in your hand is 5 or less. Once you do this, all players reveal their cards, and the player with the lowest total wins the hand. However, knowing when to “drop” at a good time is critical. If you drop too early in the round, then you may lose a better hand later on. So, to win a game of Tonk, you need to be the first player to get rid of all of the cards from your original hand, or accurately know when to “drop”.

Variations of Tonk

Tonk is often changed and adapted to new versions, which keeps the game new and engaging. Online casinos frequently offer many versions, which adds to its appeal to different player preferences. Here are some common versions:

Number Of Cards: While a typical game of Tonk involves using 5 cards, some variations deal 7 or more cards to each player, which makes each round last longer and changes the dynamics.

Stakes Variations: On most online casinos, like Pokerstars, there are high-stakes and low-stakes versions of Tonk. With this, there is also the Progressive Tonk, which means the stakes increase with each round.

Wildcard Tonk: Wildcards are also incorporated into the game, which can be used as substitutes for any card in a set, adding more strategic elements to the game and giving you an advantage. This kind of Tonk is otherwise known as Double Double Bonus.