Daifugo — free online Card game
Beat the pile with higher cards, start a revolution and rise from Beggar to Tycoon.
Daifugo (also called Daihinmin, Tycoon or President) is Japan's favourite climbing card game, free to play in your browser against three computer opponents. Play a single card, a pair, a triple or a run in one suit that beats the cards on the table — 3 is the lowest card, 2 the highest and the Joker is wild — or pass; when everyone passes, the last player to play leads again. Empty your hand first to become the Tycoon; the last player left is the Beggar and must hand over their two best cards next round. Four of a kind starts a revolution that turns the ranking upside down. Switch the popular house rules on or off: 8-stop, runs, suit lock, the 3 of spades over the Joker, the fallen Tycoon and forbidden finishes. Three difficulty levels and five-round games. No download, no sign-up.
Quick start
- Press Start. You play South against three computer players; pick a difficulty in the side panel.
- Tap cards in your hand to select them (they lift up), then press Play. Cards that cannot be used right now are dimmed.
- Beat what is on the table with the same kind of play — a higher single, a higher pair, a higher run — or press Pass.
- Get rid of all your cards before the others to finish as Tycoon. Hint selects a sensible play for you.
How to play Daifugo
- All 53 cards (a standard deck plus one Joker) are dealt out, so everyone holds 13 or 14. In the first round the player with the 3♦ leads; later rounds are led by the Beggar.
- Card order, low to high: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, 2. Suits do not matter for strength. The Joker can stand in for any card, and played on its own it beats every single card.
- The leader plays a single card, a set of cards of one rank (pair, triple, four of a kind) or — with the Runs rule — three or more consecutive cards of one suit, such as 6♥ 7♥ 8♥.
- Going round the table, each player must play the same kind and number of cards, strictly higher: a pair of 9s beats a pair of 7s; a run must sit wholly above the previous run. Anyone may pass instead, and may play again next time round.
- When everybody else has passed, the pile is cleared and the last player who played leads anything they like. If that player has already gone out, the next player in turn leads.
- Playing four of a kind starts a revolution: until another revolution, the order is reversed — 3 becomes the highest card and 2 the lowest. The Joker stays the strongest single.
- The first player to empty their hand is the Tycoon, the second the Rich, the third the Poor and the last the Beggar. Points per round: 3, 2, 1 and 0.
- Before the next round, the Beggar gives their two strongest cards to the Tycoon and the Poor gives their strongest card to the Rich; the Tycoon and the Rich give back two and one cards of their choice. After five rounds the highest total wins.
House rules
- 8-stopHachi-giri
- Any play containing an 8 clears the pile at once and the same player leads again. On by default.
- RunsKaidan
- Three or more consecutive cards of one suit can be played together; the Joker can fill a gap. Runs never wrap from 2 back to 3. On by default.
- Suit lockShibari
- If a play is in exactly the same suit(s) as the one it beats, the pile is locked: until it is cleared, every play must use those suits. On by default.
- 3♠ beats the JokerSupe-3
- A Joker played on its own can be answered by the 3 of spades, which clears the pile. On by default.
- Fallen TycoonMiyako-ochi
- If last round's Tycoon is not the first to go out, they drop straight to Beggar the moment someone else finishes. On by default.
- Forbidden finishHansoku-agari
- Going out with a Joker, a 2 (a 3 during a revolution), an 8 under 8-stop or the 3♠ return ranks you last. Off by default.
Controls
- Select cards: tap them in your hand; tap again to put one back
- Play / Pass: the buttons in the side panel (Pass is not allowed when you lead)
- Hint: selects a suggested play, or the cards to give back during the exchange
- Keyboard: Enter plays the selection (or picks a hint), P passes, Esc clears the selection
- Rules: switch house rules on and off — changing them starts a new game
Strategy tips
- Lead your weakest cards early, preferably as pairs or runs, so they leave your hand in one go.
- Keep a 2 or the Joker to win the lead back when you need it — but do not hold them so long that you are left with only low cards.
- Do not break up a pair or a run just to answer a single unless you must; plan how many plays your hand needs.
- With a weak hand and four of a kind, a revolution can turn your small cards into the strongest ones on the table.
- Watch the player who is down to one or two cards: lead pairs or runs they cannot answer, or a single high enough to stop them.
Frequently asked questions
Is Daifugo the same as President?
Yes, they are the same family of games. Daifugo ("grand millionaire") or Daihinmin ("grand pauper") is the Japanese name; in English-speaking countries similar games are called President, Tycoon or Scum. The card exchange, revolution and 8-stop are typical of the Japanese version.
Can I play again after passing?
Yes. Passing only skips your turn; if the pile has not been cleared when your turn comes round again, you may play on it.
What does the Joker do?
It is wild: inside a pair, triple or run it stands for whatever card you need. Played alone it is the strongest single card, even during a revolution — unless the 3♠ rule is on.
How do the computer levels differ?
Easy plays almost at random. Normal sheds its weakest cards, keeps pairs together and holds back its 2s. Hard plans how many plays its hand needs, counts the cards that are gone and grabs the lead when nobody can beat it.
Is Daifugo free?
Yes. It is completely free in your browser with no download, no account and no in-game purchases.