Giog
| Players | 2 to 4 |
|---|---|
| Setup time | < 1 minute |
| Playing time | 5-10 minutes |
| Random chance | Medium |
| Skill(s) required | Tactics, Psychology |
Giog is a trick-taking game played by two to four players. It can either be played for fun or as a serious competition. It contains a considerable amount of luck, strategic and psychological elements. It is similar to the card games of Tam cúc, and .
Like Banqi, Giog uses xiangqi pieces. For Giog, it is important that the backs as well as the rims of the pieces be indistinguishable from each other so the pieces cannot be identified when face down. There are seven piece types in the game: Pawns, Cannons, Horses (or Knights), Chariots (or Rooks), Advisors (or Elephants), Guards, Generals (or Kings), respectively shown in the figure below. There are altogether 32 pieces and 2 colors. Let's say the colors are Red and Black.
All players help to scramble the 32 pieces face down and distribute the pieces evenly to themselves. If the number of players is three, the winner of the previous game or a volunteer receives 12 pieces and the other two players receive 10 pieces each. Like a Mahjong game, each player arranges his/her pieces into one line with half of the pieces on top of the other half. Figure below shows how 3 players arrange their pieces.
The ranking of pieces in Giog is identical to Banqi's ranking. That is, in ascending order:
The exceptions are: firstly, a black piece is always inferior than a red piece of the type.
For example, Red Horse wins Black Horse. And also, Pawns are inferior than Generals.
Each of the players now reveals (turns up) any one lower piece not in his/her own profile. He/she then places the revealed piece face up on top of the other face down piece. The ranking of the 4 revealed pieces determines the order of the players who revealed them. Should there be a tie among some players, they apply the same procedures again by revealing more lower pieces until the order is finally determined.
The first player (who revealed or subsequently revealed the strongest piece in the previous process) starts to choose his pieces. He/she may only choose his pieces starting from a left or right head duo in any player's profile. He/she therefore has as many choices as twice the number of players. Following the first player, the second, third and fourth players consecutively collect their pieces, two at one time. The process is repeated until no piece (4-player game), 2 pieces (3-player game), 8 pieces (2-player game) are remained. These pieces are kept face down at a side and do not enter the game. Figure below shows John, having revealed a Black general starts to collect his first two pieces from no. 1 position. Kate who reveals a Red Guard collects the no. 2 duo. John misses the Black General but is consoled by the Red Guard at no. 7.
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