Tam cúc (三菊, "three chrysanthemums") is a multi-trick card game popular in Northern Vietnam. Tam Cuc is not just played for entertainment, but also played in ceremonies and festivals. It is a card game that is commonly played in New Year celebrations, it a habit of northerner to play this game while wait for the banh chung to cook. Tam cúc is mostly played by women because the number of cards is less than in the Tổ tôm, which is more common among men. It is similar to the games of Chēmǎbāo, Zhìhǔ, and Giog. Card set A deck of tam cúc has 32 cards with 2 kinds of set red and black. Each set has 1 general (tướng 將), 2 majors (sĩ 士), 2 elephants (tượng 象), 2 carts (xe 車), 2 cannons (pháo 砲), 2 horses (mã 馬), and 5 soldiers (tốt 卒). The black side general is called tướng bà (female general), and red side is called tướng ông(male general). Red side majors are called sĩ điều. The rest of the cards are addressed by their name and color. The deck of the tam cúc is similar to Cờ tướng pieces, while Chữ Hán (Chinese characters) are as same as pieces of black side. Rules Setting The Tam Cuc deck is divided from high to low in rank, with General as the highest card, followed by Major, Elephant, Cart, Cannon, Horse and Soldier. A card in the red suit is worth more than a black card of the same rank. Combinations of cards are: Pair same color same rank ex: pair of red cannons, or pair of black majors. Three card combo General + major + elephant; or cart + cannon + horse. However, major + elephant + cart; or elephant + cart + cannon are not a three card combo. Four sons 4 soldier cards of the same color. Five sons 5 soldier cards of the same color. How to play Tam Cuc can be played with 4, 3, or 2 players. When played with three players one red soldier and one black soldier will not be used, or a total of five cards are discarded: the two generals, both of red and black majors, and 1 red soldier and 1 black soldier. At first one-person will shuffle the deck of card and another will play as the House. The way to become the House is