THE GAME TO TOM
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Tổ tôm, also known as Tụ tam bài, is a
traditional Vietnamese card game,
typically played by men during festivals. This game originates from the Chinese
game of Khanhoo and utilizes a deck of Chinese currency cards, totaling 120
cards. Each card features images and Chinese characters at the top and bottom
to indicate its rank and suit.
In the past, under French
colonial rule, the Tổ tôm deck was redesigned by the French company A.Camoin
& Cie, inspired by traditional Japanese Edo period costumes. This redesign
added a distinctive cultural element to the Tổ tôm deck, making it not just a
form of entertainment but also a part of Vietnam’s cultural heritage.
The Tổ tôm deck consists of
three suits: Văn (文), Sách (索), and Vạn (萬), each divided into ten ranks with the
highest cards being Nửa Văn, Sợi Không, and Ông Lão respectively. Players draw
and discard cards to form a hand of twenty-one cards. Combinations include sets
of three or four identical cards, a sequence of three cards of the same suit,
or three cards of the same rank but each from a different suit.
Tổ tôm is more than just a
game; it is a part of Vietnamese tradition and culture. It reflects the
sophistication of Vietnamese entertainment and preserves and promotes cultural
values through generations. The game not only brings people together during
festive occasions but also offers an opportunity to impart strategic thinking
and skills, showcasing the creativity and finesse in Vietnamese gameplay.