Lunar New Year Special Article:
Chinese New Year Table Games for Gathering
Growing up, one of my fondest memories of Chinese New Year was gathering around the table with family and friends to play card games and table games.
While I can’t speak for the entire Malaysian Chinese community—our traditions and preferences are wonderfully diverse—these games were a staple among the people I celebrated with and the homes I visited during the festive season.
So, here’s my take on the Top 10 Most Popular Table Games Malaysian Chinese Love Playing During Lunar New Year.
1. Blackjack/ Ban Luck (Twenty-one)
Blackjack, also known as “21” or “Ban Luck” among the Hokkien community, is a simple yet thrilling card game often played during Chinese New Year gatherings. It combines strategy, luck, and excitement, making it a popular table game for family and friends.
The goal is straightforward: get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Players compete against the banker (dealer), who manages the game.
Card values are easy to remember:
Number cards (2–10) = face value
J, Q, K = 10 points
Ace (A) = 1 or 11 points
Each player decides whether to “hit” (draw another card) or “stand” (keep their current hand), trying to beat the banker’s total without exceeding 21.
Tips for Blackjack: Clarify House Rules Before You Play
In Blackjack, different bankers may set their own house rules, so it’s important to clarify them before the game starts. Here are some common examples:
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“孖宝” (Pair of the Same Cards): Some bankers require the total of a pair (e.g., two 8s or two Queens) to be 16 or higher to qualify as a strong hand, while others accept any pair regardless of total value.
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15-Point Escape Rule: In some games, players can “escape” (fold) if their first two cards total 15, rather than continue the round.
To avoid misunderstandings, make sure everyone agrees on the house rules beforehand. Clear rules help keep the game smooth, fun, and free from festive arguments.
2. In Between
“In Between,” also known as 射笼门 in Canto (similar to taking a penalty kick in football), is a simple yet high-stakes card game popular during Chinese New Year gatherings. Its straightforward rules and suspenseful nature make it a festive favorite among family and friends.
How to play In Between?
Each round begins with a player placing a bet. The dealer then deals two cards face-up. The player must predict whether a third card will fall between the values of the first two cards.
The excitement comes from the spread:
A wider gap (e.g., 3 and Queen) offers better odds.
A narrow gap increases the risk — but also the thrill.
When the third card is revealed:
If it falls within the range → the player wins and doubles their bet.
If it falls outside the range → the player loses their bet.
If it matches either card → the player loses double, making the game even more intense.
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Wishing you Heng Ong Huat Ah in your next games!
3. Chor D (Cho Dai Dee / Big Two)
Chor D, also known as Cho Dai Dee or Big Two, is a highly strategic and competitive card game that’s especially popular during the Chinese New Year. Played with four players, it combines friendly rivalry with fast-paced action, making it a favorite for both casual players and seasoned pros.
How to play In Chor D?
The game uses a standard 52-card deck, with each player receiving 13 cards. The goal is simple: be the first to discard all your cards by playing combinations that outrank the previous hand.
In Big Two:
The 3 of Diamonds is the lowest card.
The 2 (Big Two) is the highest rank.
Suits are ranked (low to high): Diamonds, Clubs, Hearts, Spades.
The player holding the 3 of Diamonds starts the game. Players then take turns clockwise, playing a higher-ranking card or combination (such as singles, pairs, triples, straights, flushes, or full houses). If a player cannot beat the previous play, they pass.
When no one can beat the last hand, the player who played it starts a new round.
4. Three-Player Mahjong
3-Player Mahjong is a faster variation of traditional Mahjong, designed for three players instead of the usual four. It’s perfect when there aren’t enough players for a full table, but everyone still wants the game’s excitement.
This version uses fewer tiles by removing the bamboo suit, which makes rounds quicker and more dynamic.
The objective remains the same: draw and discard tiles to complete winning sets, such as:
Pongs (three of a kind)
Chows (sequential runs)
Kongs (four of a kind)
With simpler scoring and shorter rounds, 3-Player Mahjong is ideal for casual Chinese New Year games where the goal is maximum fun with minimal waiting time. 
5. Four-Player Mahjong
4-Player Mahjong is a Lunar New Year staple in many households, combining strategy, skill, and luck. Played with a full set of 144 tiles, four players sit around the table, each aiming to form a winning 14-tile hand with combinations such as pongs, chows, and kongs.
What makes this version special is its depth and strategy. Players must not only manage their own tiles but also watch others’ discards carefully to plan their moves.
Games can last for hours, filled with lively conversation and laughter, making it a cherished tradition during the festive season.
6. Rummy
Rummy is a card game that’s simple to learn but endlessly entertaining, making it a popular choice for Chinese New Year gatherings.
The game is typically played with two decks of cards, and the goal is to form sets (e.g., three cards of the same rank) and runs (e.g., sequences of consecutive cards of the same suit) while minimizing the points left in your hand.
Players take turns drawing and discarding cards, trying to improve their hands with each move. The game rewards both strategy and quick thinking, as players must anticipate their opponents’ next moves while working toward their winning combination.
With its mix of skill and luck, Rummy keeps everyone engaged, making it a good choice for festive bonding.
7. Texas Poker (Texas Hold’em)
Texas Poker (Texas Hold’em) is another popular card game during this festive season. Each player receives two private cards, while five community cards are dealt face-up on the table.
Players combine their two cards with the community cards to form the best five-card hand. With rounds of betting, bluffing, and strategy, Texas Poker brings excitement and friendly competition to the festive table. 
8. "Catching the Turtle"
抽乌龟 (Old Maid / “Turtle” Game) is a simple matching and elimination card game often enjoyed by kids and families during festive gatherings. Before the game begins, all matching pairs are removed from the deck, leaving one unpaired card — usually the Joker.
The remaining cards are shuffled and distributed evenly. Players discard any pairs in their hands, then take turns drawing a card from the player on their right, trying to form and remove new pairs.
The game continues until only one card remains — the “turtle” (乌龟). The player left holding it loses, which often leads to plenty of laughter.
Easy to learn and free from gambling, 抽乌龟 is a family-friendly favorite during Chinese New Year, perfect for players of all ages.
9. Jackpot
Jackpot is a fast-paced and exciting game often played during Chinese New Year, adding extra thrill to family gatherings. Before each round begins, every player contributes an equal amount to a shared “gold” pot.
Using a standard 52-card deck, each player is dealt three cards. The goal is to get a total of 9 or 10. To calculate the score, add the three cards together and take the last digit (for example, 7 + 5 + 6 = 18, so the final value is 8).
If a player hits 9 or 10, they win the pot. If no one qualifies, the pot carries over to the next round — making the stakes even higher.
Simple rules and rising suspense make Jackpot a festive favorite, bringing luck, laughter, and friendly competition to the CNY table.
Slapjack (心脏病 / 衾棉胎 / 盖棉被) is a fast-paced reflex game that tests your focus and reaction speed. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck, evenly distributed among players. For larger groups (8–10 players or more), an extra deck can be added.
Players keep their cards face-down and are not allowed to look at them. The game starts with the first player flipping over their top card into the center while calling out “1.” The next player flips a card and calls “2,” and the counting continues up to “13” before restarting at “1.”
The exciting moment happens when the number called matches the number on the flipped card (for example, calling “8” while revealing an 8). When this happens, everyone must quickly slap the pile. The slowest player — whose hand ends up at the bottom — must take all the cards in the center.
If someone slaps the pile at the wrong time or miscounts past 13, they also have to collect the cards. The goal is to get rid of all your cards. However, even after finishing your cards, you must successfully slap at least once more without losing to officially win the game.
Chinese New Year Games in a nutshell:
This article isn’t about promoting gambling; it’s about sharing the fun and the games we play during Chinese New Year.
As the saying goes, 小赌怡情，大赌李嘉诚 (a little gambling adds to the fun, but not in an excessive way).
Most importantly, remember the number one house rule for all games: 牌品 (good sportsmanship in the game). Whether you win or lose, the spirit of fair play and respect keeps the festive mood alive and enjoyable for everyone.
We wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year if you’re non-Chinese).
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What do ‘Heng’, ‘Ong’, and ‘Huat’ mean?
“Heng Ong Huat” (兴 旺 发) is a popular Hokkien phrase used during the Chinese New Year to wish someone prosperity and good fortune.
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Heng (兴) means prosperity or success.
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Ong (旺) means thriving or good luck.
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Huat (发) means to grow wealthy or strike it rich.
What’s the difference between 3-player Mahjong and traditional 4-player Mahjong?
3-player Mahjong is a faster variation that uses fewer tiles (often removing the North Wind and sometimes the bamboo suit), resulting in quicker rounds and simpler scoring.
4-player Mahjong, the traditional version, uses the full 144-tile set and involves more complex strategy, longer gameplay, and greater interaction between players.
Which of the above games require little technical skill or rely mainly on luck?
The games that rely mostly on pure luck rather than technical skill are Jackpot, Catching the Turtle (抽乌龟), and Slapjack.
These games involve minimal strategy and depend largely on random card distribution or quick reactions, making them easy for all ages