Daifugō

The rules described here are based on rules made popular in the U.S. by Tokyopop, in volume two of the manga Fruits Basket. They are fairly basic and attempt to condense the game to its core elements. Since card games like this are taught and evolve by word of mouth, the game play varies according to state of origin.

One or more house rules are usually observed when playing a game of Daifugō. Here are a few examples:

Rule No. 420

If the losing player finishes his cards first then the 1, 2, 3, 4 order is reversed to 4, 3, 2, 1.

Strict 52-card

Uneven card count in hands is allowed and the benefit (smaller hand) goes to the richest players. The deal generally starts with the richest heimin (or with the hinmin in a four-player game) and continues clockwise, that is, down the wealth rank. If there is a dummy hand (see below), it is always dealt last and therefore may change who gets the first dealt card. (If there are four players and a dummy hand, then the deal will start with the fugō so that the dummy hand and default daifugō hand both have one less card than the other hands dealt.)

Dummy Hand

At the outset of every round after the first, one more hand is dealt than the number of players at the table. This last hand, the "dummy" hand, is ignored unless the daifugō decides he wants to chance swapping his dealt hand with the dummy hand. The swap must occur before taxation. The daifugō may not look at the dummy hand before the optional swap, nor may he change his mind after the swap. The dummy hand is generally taken only if the daifugō feels the cards in his dealt hand are significantly below average.

Deuce Means Clear

In addition to deuces (2s) being the highest value, a single 2 beats any other combination of cards. Because it can't be beat, a deuce becomes a "clear" card that allows the holder to "steal" the lead play from someone who would otherwise have played first. This can be essential when attempting to keep a person who has few cards remaining from going out; playing a 2 on a pile of pairs and starting a new pile of three-of-a-kinds means a person with only two cards left is dead in the water. This is common in Western versions of the game including Asshole.

Match Means Clear

If a player can match the current active play, the trick is cleared. For instance, if a 7 is played, one can play a 7 on top of this to clear. Or, if two Kings are played, one can play two Kings to clear. This is sometimes known as the Grand Palace Rule.

Jokers are Wild

Can be played almost any time, as any value, but cannot beat a 2. When a joker is played by itself, it is assumed to be one higher than the card played before it; for instance, a joker played on top of a single 5 is effectively a 6. Jokers played in combination with at least one other card are the same value as the other card(s); a joker and a 7 is equivalent to a pair of 7s.

Jokers are 2s

Jokers always count as 2s, meaning the number of Deuces in the game is increased.

Jokers are Trumps

While jokers can be played at any time, they are considered, when played as just jokers, to be above a 2. Some variants will include a rule where one of the 3 cards are able to beat a Joker, but only a Joker.

Forbidden Last Card

It is forbidden to go out on a specific card or combination of cards. Common examples include going out on a 2, a Joker, a pair, or an 8.

Skips

A player who plays the same number of cards of the same rank as the previous player skips the next person who would have played. For example, playing a 7 on top of another 7, or a pair of 4s on another pair of 4s, skips the next player. This variant is rare, though more common in American versions, and adds an extra element of strategy.

Multi-Skips

If a player has more than one of the card played previously, he/she may play more of that card than is required in the current trick. By doing so, play skips one extra person for each extra card played. For instance, if a single 4 is played and the next player has the other three 4s in the deck, he/she may play two of them and skip the next two people, or play all three and skip the next three people. If two 4s are played and the next player has a 4 and two wild cards, he/she may play all three cards and skip the next two people (two cards required to play and skip, plus one extra).

Revolution (革命, kakumei)

Playing four of a kind causes a revolution, which makes the strength of cards reversed until the end of the round (or session), making 3 the highest and 2 lowest. Counterrevolution (革命返し, kakumei-gaeshi or 反革命, han-kakumei) would restore the power. Revolution could also spark when a set of four or more sequential cards of the same suit is played such as 4-5-6-7 of spade (see kaidan below), or in a row by different players. The one who plays such sets can choose not to have a revolution. It could also make the titles of the players reversed. There even would happen counter-counterrevolution (革命返し返しkakumei-gaeshi-gaeshi or 反反革命 han-han-kakumei).

Completo, a.k.a. Completion

If a player has the cards to complete a set of four of the current card, they can play them at any time (even if not their turn) to do so. This results in a "clear," and the person who completed the set of four goes next.

Jack-Back(or Eleven Back)

When “J” is put into play, the strength of the card is temporarily the same as when the revolution occurred until the field card is washed away. In the revolutionary state, there is a temporary absence of a revolution (“2”is the strongest, “3” is the weakest). It returns to the original when the field flows . In some variations, playing a Jack or some other combination including a Jack results in a temporary kakumei, which lasts only for the current trick. For example, if a player plays a single J on a 9, the next player can play a lower-ranked card, such as a 3, on the J. After the trick in which the Jack is played ends, previous card strengths are restored.

Kaidan (階段 "Sequence")

Three or more cards in sequence (ex. 5-6-7) may be played together (they do not necessarily have to be of the same suit), instead of playing a three-of-a-kind or four-of-a-kind. The highest card must be higher than the highest card of the set just played. Alternatively, sequences of 2 might be allowed, a same-suit restriction could be added (i.e., all cards must be of the same suit), or the lowest card might be required to be higher than the highest of the set just played. Often a five card limit is placed on these straights. Another variant allows 'double straights' where a player plays a pair of straights (ex. 5-5-6-6-7-7).

Eight Enders (Or Eight Stop) (8切り "8-cutting", チェンジカード 'change card')

Playing an 8, set of 8s, or straight ending or beginning with an 8, can end the trick immediately, though it must follow the pattern of play (ex. a pair of 8s following a pair of 5's played previously). The player who plays the 8s leads the next trick.

Deuces Wild, Jokers High

Deuces may be any value and any suit except they are not allowed to be a “Joker”. If the deuce is played as a deuce, then its value trumps anything 3 through K. A deuce played as a deuce may be used as the highest card in a Kaidan when following an ace (ex. Q-K-A-2). Jokers are not wild but will always trump anything including a deuce. Jokers may be played in pairs, but may not be played in a Kaidan.

Direction of Play

The daihinmin is required to shuffle and deal but, based on the direction of the deal, decides the direction of play. The daihinmin is the first to go after the shuffle and the round starts once the daihinmin places down his first cards. In this variation, individuals never change seats, so they are subject to who will play before and after them based on the daihinmin's strategy.

People's Revolution (下克上 gekokujō)

In this variation, if the daihinmin is the first to shed all of their cards, he will take the daifugō position in the next round as normal, but in addition, the daifugō is immediately out of the current round and will become the daihinmin in the next round. In some variants, a "People's Revolution" ends the game immediately with all players swapping rank. Therefore, the fugō and hinmin would also trade places, and if the Despotism variant is used, the various heimin would trade rankings for card-passing purposes.

Bankrupt (都落ち miyako-ochi "Exile from the capital")

A variation of the People's Revolution, where if the daifugō does not win a hand, they are immediately out of the current round and will become the daihinmin in the next round. Unlike People's Revolution, anyone can beat the daifugō and force them to go Bankrupt.

Metropolitan Citizens First (都民ファースト Tomin Fāsuto)

Typically the first dealer of the game is daihinmin, but if he or she bankrupted on the last game, not daihinmin but hinmin will be the first dealer. It comes from "都落ち", the Japanese rule name of Bankrupt which means "exile from the metropolis". The player exiled from the metropolis would be deprived the right to be the "first" dealer as a citizen.

Multiple Decks

In multiple deck games, when more than one deck is used, there is generally no limit to the number of cards played in a Kaidan or in a multiple card of a kind hand (ex. in a two deck game, eight 10's may be played; more if there are wildcards). A rule of thumb for determining multiple decks is 1 deck for every four players. For example, a five-player game would utilize two decks.

Despotism

The number of cards traded between the upper and lower ranks strictly depends on the number of players. In a nine player game, the daihinmin and daifugō will trade four cards. The next two opposing ranks will trade three cards; the next two will trade two cards, and the last two will trade one. With an odd number of players, such as nine, the person in the middle will not trade any cards. A variant sometimes seen in Western versions of the game is similar, but the middle pair or three players do not exchange cards: so, with 9 players, the daifugō and daihinmin will trade three cards, the fugō and hinmin will trade two, and the top and bottom heimin will trade one. Sometimes additional titles for heimin that trade cards are introduced.

Three of Clubs Start

The person with the three of clubs starts the first round in the game by placing down that card. It may be played in combination with other cards per legal combinations. In multi-deck games, the first person to throw down a three of clubs (or legal combination thereof) starts.

Daifugō's Choice

A subtle rule where the Daifugō, and no other rank, may choose to ask the daihinmin if the daihinmin has a card(s) of a specified value. This request can happen only after traded cards are given to the daifugō and before the round starts. The Daifugō may only ask once and must take multiple cards of the specified rank (up to the number of cards traded), if the daihinmin has multiples, and must return the same number of high cards given to the daifugō from the daihinmin.

English Ranking System

This ranking is for a nine player game. Add or subtract ranks depending on the number of players. 1. King 2. Duke 3. Upper Class 4. Upper Middle Class 5. Middle Class 6. Lower Middle Class 7. Poor 8. Very Poor 9. Destitute.

Extended Trading

After all of the cards are traded and before the round starts, the daifugō may allow for extended trading where individuals can barter their cards with other players. Trades need not be one card for one card. The daifugō may end trading at any time, but when trading is open, cannot control who trades what, and with whom; the daifugō is not allowed to do extended trading without it being open to all. Trading will also end when the first to go places their cards.

Tight, Follow Same Suit (縛り shibari)

When cards of the same suit are played consecutively, all subsequent cards in that trick must also be of the same suit. For example, if one player plays a 7 of Clubs, and the next player plays a 9 of Clubs, the third player cannot play a King of Spades (though he could play a King of Clubs). The same rule applies to pairs, threes-of-a-kind, or any other legal play depending on the rules used; so, for example, a pair of 5s (Clubs and Spades) followed by a pair of 7s (Clubs and Spades) would have to be followed by another Club-Spade combination. A variant of this rule allows "partial tights," in which any suit pattern between subsequent plays of more than one card must be followed for the rest of the trick: for example, a pair of 5s (Clubs-Spades) followed by a pair of 7s (Clubs-Diamonds) must be followed by a pair containing Clubs. Another tight variant requires that the same suit or combination of suits be played three times in a row in order for the suit(s) to "take." In some variants, the suit requirement is not official until a player notices the sequence and declares the suit name(s) out loud. Declaration is a significant part of strategy since only a player who can satisfy the suit requirement will benefit from declaration.

Poker hands

Straights, flushes, full houses, and straight flushes may be played during five-card tricks. Each hand thus played must beat the previous hand according to standard poker rules (straight flush beats four-of-a-kind beats full house beats flush beats straight).

Asshole/President

In North America, Daifugō is often played as a drinking game called "Asshole". The titles are President, Vice President, Common guy, Poor guy (Vice-Ass or Beer Wench), Asshole. Additional rules govern drinking (Common ones include the players being able to force anyone of a lower title to drink, or that the asshole buys the next round)

Rule of 7

If you play a seven, you can give the person who is next after your turn a card that you do not need. If you decide to play more than 1 seven, give the person after you the amount of cards equal to how many sevens you played. example: 3 sevens, give the person after you 3 cards.

Throwaway 10

If you play a ten, you may throw away any card in your deck, if you play more than 1 ten, then throw away the amount of cards equal to the amount of tens you played. example: 2 tens, throw away 2 cards.

Double 9 Ambulance

If 2 nines are played together, it does the same thing an eight would do except it needs to be 2 nines. You may not do this with 3 nines or 4 nines.

Often the titles used in the game can be extended to social interactions. The daihinmin may be required to get up and fetch everyone's snacks and drinks (often this task is given to the hinmin so the daihinmin can shuffle and deal). Also the daifugō may be able to give an order after each round that must be followed, like "all heimin must bark like dogs", or "the hinmin must give me a backrub".

The daifugō - can also add rules related to the game itself, such as the rules in the list above, or any rule that suits him. It is often a good idea to impose limitations on such rule-making before the game starts, such as a maximum number of additional rules (requiring rules to be repealed when new ones are added), and allowing other players to override a new rule by unanimous vote (or a sufficiently large percentage).

• In Fruits Basket, a popular manga and anime series, the characters in the story often play the card game with each other, emphasizing the fun social aspects of the game. In 2006, Score Entertainment released a Fruits Basket card game that contains a set of rules to Daifugō (in addition to an original game developed by Score).
• In volume 6 of Ouran High School Host Club, Haruhi Fujioka and Suoh Tamaki (very poor man and poor man, respectively) were made to obey Kyoya Ootori (rich man) after a game of Daifugō.
• The commercial game The Great Dalmuti is a custom Daifugo deck where lower numbered cards are strictly better, but the number of copies of each card in the deck equals its value - so, for example, 10 is the lowest card but there are 10 of them in the deck. This allows weak cards to be played in large sets which stronger cards cannot match. Dilbert: Corporate Shuffle is a further variant which adds three special effect cards.
• In the PC Game "Katawa Shoujo", Misha and Shizune challenge Hisao to play Daifugō against them.
• In Germany, there is a similar game by the name of "Vollarsch" or "Arschloch" (Asshole in German).
• In Belgium, the loser is called 'Stront' (shit in Dutch)
• In Sweden, a common name for this game used to be "neger och president" which means Negro and President. This title reflects the injustice and hierarchy of slave-age USA. New titles have since been adopted, since the word "neger" is considered by many to be offensive.
• Similar to the Swedish and German versions, there is also a Greek variant of Daifugō called "Νίγκα" (Greek imitation of US-pronounced "nigga"). The original game play features 5 ranks (Masta, Half-Masta, Swiss, Half-Nigga, Nigga). Each player gets 6 cards and cards utilized are only sevens and up, with aces being the most powerful (No deuces are used). The remaining 2 cards (4*8 equals 32 whereas 5*6 equals 30) are called "the Swiss cards", because it's at the Swiss' discretion to swap at the start of each round 2 cards of his for these 2 "Swiss cards" as a one-time option. Also, the Kakumei-Revolution rule is standard. Other differences from the original Daifugō: There is no seat rearrangement at each round and no wild cards are being used.
• In the light novel and anime series The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat., Tsukiko Tsutsukakushi invites Azusa Azuki, Yōto Yokodera and Tsukushi Tsutsukakushi to play Daihinmin while her house is flooded by the typhoon.
• In the video game Persona 5 Royal, a variation of this game can be played with members of the player character's team (which are known in the game as the Phantom Thieves).
  • In the western release of the game, the card game goes by the name "Tycoon".
• Japanese pop music group Hinatazaka46 included a group wide Daifugo tournament as bonus for the blu-ray editions of their fourth single.

• Dai Fugō / Dai Hinmin at Pagat.com