Japan has a rich culture of traditional gambling games, with some of the most popular ones being card games. These games have been played for centuries and continue to be enjoyed by people of all ages. In this article, we will take a closer look at one of the most popular Japanese gambling card games.
What is Japanese Gambling Card Game?
Japanese gambling card game is known as Hanafuda, which means "flower cards." This game is played with a deck of 48 cards, which are divided into 12 suits, each representing a month of the year. Each suit has four cards, with each card featuring a different flower or plant.
Originally, Hanafuda was played as a leisure activity among the aristocracy in Japan. However, it soon became popular among the common people and was used for gambling purposes. Today, Hanafuda is still played as a gambling game in Japan and is also enjoyed by people around the world.
How to Play Japanese Gambling Card Game?
Playing Hanafuda is relatively simple. The game is usually played by two to four players, and the objective is to score points by collecting sets of cards. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
At the beginning of the game, each player is dealt eight cards. The remaining cards are placed face down on the table to form a draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is turned over to start a discard pile.
Players take turns trying to collect sets of cards, which can be either three or four of a kind, or a combination of cards that add up to a certain value. For example, a set of three bright cards or a set of four ribbon cards. A set of five cards is called a Yaku and is worth more points.
Players can also score points by matching cards with the cards on the discard pile. If a player matches a card by suit and number, they can take both the matched card and the top card from the discard pile.
What Makes Japanese Gambling Card Game Unique?
One of the unique aspects of Hanafuda is the symbolism behind the cards. Each suit represents a different month of the year and is associated with a particular flower or plant. For example, the month of January is represented by the pine suit, while the month of May is represented by the iris suit.
Another unique aspect of Hanafuda is the scoring system. Players score points based on the sets of cards they collect, with certain sets worth more points than others. In addition, players can earn bonus points for collecting specific combinations of cards or for having the most cards of a certain suit.
Conclusion
Japanese gambling card game is a fascinating and unique game that has been enjoyed by people for centuries. Whether you are a fan of traditional gambling games or simply interested in learning more about Japanese culture, Hanafuda is definitely worth checking out. So why not give it a try and see if you have what it takes to become a Hanafuda champion!
