The goal
Guandan is played by four people with two standard decks. The player opposite you is your partner. The aim is not merely to finish first: help your partnership finish its cards in the strongest order.
Starting a hand
A hand uses 108 cards from two decks. Players sort their cards after the deal. The first hand normally has a designated lead; later hands use the prior result, level card, and tribute rules to determine the opening flow.
Common combinations
Common combinations include singles, pairs, triples, full houses, straights, consecutive pairs, steel plates, bombs, and straight flushes. You normally answer with a larger combination of the same type. Bombs have higher priority.
Turns and passing
On your turn, play a valid combination that beats the current play or pass. When the other three players pass, the player who last played wins the trick and leads any legal combination into the next round.
Level cards and promotion
Promotion is central to Guandan. In many rulesets, 2 is a wild card and the current level has special meaning. The team’s finishing order controls its promotion and the next hand’s level card.
Tribute and return
A dominant result may trigger tribute and return before the next hand. The tribute side offers its highest card and the receiving side returns one card. Exact conditions and details vary by region and room rules.
A beginner’s mindset
Protect your partner’s chances to lead; you do not have to take every trick. Save decisive bombs, track high and level cards, and create initiative when your partner is close to finishing.