Five classic Chinese traditional board games that are still popular today

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The charm of traditional Chinese chess and card games

2. Go: the world's oldest board game

- The origin and history of Go
- The cultural significance of Go
- The basic rules of Go

3. Checkers: A strategic battle on the hexagram

- The history and origin of checkers
- The basic rules of checkers

4. Mahjong: Cultural heritage on the card table

- The history and evolution of mahjong
- The basic rules of mahjong

5. Chinese chess: A classic game of Warring States gaming

- The origin and development of chess
- The basic rules of chess

6. Pai Gow: An ancient gambling game

- The historical background of Pai Gow
- The basic rules of Pai Gow

7. Conclusion: The charm of traditional board games

China is the birthplace of the world's oldest board and card games, many of which are still loved by people of all ages. These games incorporate traditional values ​​and are even closely related to ancient Eastern philosophy, showing elegant rule design, deep strategy and lasting appeal.

Here are five of the most popular Chinese board games today, which not only inherit thousands of years of cultural wisdom, but also provide fun and thinking experiences for modern people.

Let's start exploring together!

Go: The Art of Strategy that Has Been Passed Down for Thousands of Years

Go is a popular board game, but many people mistakenly believe that it originated in Japan, which is understandable because Go has a profound influence on Japanese history and was promoted vigorously. However, Go actually originated in China and is one of the oldest board games in the world, with a history dating back to ancient China about 4,000 years ago.

The Origin and History of Go

The exact origin of Go is still uncertain, but it is generally believed that it first appeared in China around 2300 BC. Go was called "Yi" in ancient times. This name was first seen in the classic historical work "Zuo Zhuan" around the 4th century BC. Go was also mentioned in "The Analects of Confucius", showing its importance in ancient culture. In addition, Go was listed as one of the "Four Arts" of ancient Chinese literati, along with Qin, calligraphy, and painting, and was an important activity for literati to pursue self-cultivation and wisdom.

The spread of Go was not limited to China. It was introduced to Korea around the 5th century AD and then to Japan in the 7th century AD. Go gradually flourished during Japan's Nara period (710-794), reaching its peak during the 16th century Warring States period, becoming a game favored by samurai and the aristocracy. Japan has also made great contributions to the development of Go, including the formation of the modern Go ranking system and the cultivation of famous players.

Basic Rules and How to Play Go

The name Go can be roughly translated as "encirclement game", which intuitively expresses the core goal of the game: to control more territory than the opponent by encircling the territory, while capturing the opponent's pieces. Here are the basic rules of Go:

- Board and Pieces: The game is usually played on a 19×19 square board, but smaller boards (such as 13×13 or 9×9) can also be used for practice and introduction. The game is played by two players, using black and white pieces respectively.
- Rules for Placing Pieces: The board starts empty, and the black player goes first. Players take turns placing pieces on the intersections of the board, and each placement is a move.
- Surround and capture: Once a piece is completely surrounded by the opponent, it will be "eaten", that is, removed from the board. This also includes a special case called "self-capture", that is, when a player makes a move that causes himself to be surrounded, the piece will also be removed.
- Winning and losing: The game is determined by the area of ​​​​the controlled territory. At the end of the game, the territory of both sides on the board and the number of pieces captured are added together, and the one with the higher score wins.

The charm and cultural significance of Go

Go is known for its simple rules but profound connotations. It is a rare game that can integrate mathematics, philosophy and art, and is known as the "treasure of oriental culture." The strategy in Go not only tests the player's global vision, but also requires them to show superb skills in local battles.

In addition, the philosophical significance of Go is profound and is closely related to the Taoist concept of "ruling by inaction" and "balance of yin and yang". In a game of Go, every step requires a delicate balance between attack and defense. This control of the situation is the embodiment of ancient wisdom.

The influence of modern Go

In modern times, Go is not only an entertainment activity, but also a symbol of intellectual competition. The development of Go artificial intelligence, such as the emergence of AlphaGo, has brought new glory to this ancient game and made more people realize the scientific charm of Go.

Go has transcended national boundaries and become a classic game loved by the world. Whether it is a beginner or a top player, Go can bring them unlimited fun of strategy and wisdom.

Checkers: A simple, yet strategic, classic game

Despite the word "Chinese" in its name, Chinese checkers has no origins in China. In fact, the game was first invented by Germans in 1892 under the name "Stern-Halma". It is based on a variation of the American board game Halma, which was invented much earlier, dating back to 1883 or 1884.

Unique design of checkers

The Chinese checkers board is in the shape of a hexagram and can accommodate up to 6 players. It is this unique board design that makes the game visually appealing and also brings a wealth of strategic possibilities.

Basic rules of checkers

The main goal of checkers is to move one's set of marbles from the starting position to the target area on the opposite side of the board. Here are the core rules of checkers:

1. Movement: Players can move marbles to adjacent spaces step by step, or directly jump to a farther space by "jumping" adjacent marbles (either their own or their opponent's). Players can jump multiple times in one turn if the continuous jump condition is met.

2. Number of players:
- Two-player game: Players need to move one or more sets of their marbles to the opponent's starting position. To increase the difficulty and fun, each player can usually control 2-3 different colors of marbles.
- Three-player game: Each player can use one or two sets of marbles. With one set, the goal is to move to the empty star point on the opposite side; with two sets, the marbles need to be placed on the opposite side and the color exchange is completed.
- Four-player game: Both sides move marbles diagonally to the target area, leaving the center of the board empty.
- Six-player game: Each player uses a different color of marble and moves it to the target area on the other side of the board that is replaced by the opponent's starting position.

The charm and strategy of checkers

Despite the relatively simple rules, the charm of checkers lies in its strategic depth. Players need to plan each step and flexibly use the jumping rules to quickly advance their marbles while hindering the opponent's progress. As the number of players increases, the dynamics on the board become more complex, increasing the interactivity and fun of the game.

The culture and modern heritage of checkers

Although checkers originated in Germany, it is widely popular around the world and has become a childhood memory for many people. Especially in China, "Chinese checkers" is widely accepted and used as a classic game for family gatherings and children's entertainment. Its simple rules and diverse strategies make it a game suitable for all ages.

Today, checkers not only exist in the form of physical chessboards, but also appear on various digital platforms, allowing this century-old classic game to continue to flourish in the modern era.

Mahjong: China's Most Iconic Table Game

Mahjong is probably one of the most popular table games in China. The card-based game was originally called "máquè" (máquè), meaning "sparrow", because the sound made when stacking and shuffling the tiles resembled the chirping of birds.

The Origin of Mahjong: A Mysterious History

The exact origins of mahjong remain a mystery, but it is certain that the prototype of modern mahjong did not appear until the mid-19th century. There is a popular saying that mahjong was invented by Confucius around 500 BC, but this may just be part of Western mythology.

From the perspective of historical development, the design inspiration of mahjong can be traced back to a game called "yapai" in the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD). By the Ming Dynasty (1500-1800 AD), yapai gradually evolved into "ma diao", and then developed into "mohepai" with three more sets of cards, and gradually formed the form of mahjong we are familiar with today in the 1850s.

Basic Mahjong Rules

Mahjong is a strategic and social game with complex and varied rules, and the way it is played varies slightly from place to place. Here are some of the core rules and key elements of Mahjong:

1. Number of players
- Standard Mahjong is usually played by four players. Three-player Mahjong is less common, but is also popular in certain regions (such as the Kansai region of Japan).

2. Mahjong tile composition
- Standard Mahjong tiles include 136 tiles, which are divided into the following categories:
- Suit tiles: including 36 circle tiles (bing), 36 character tiles (wan), and 36 bamboo tiles (tiao), each suit is divided into four groups, from 1 to 9.
- Character tiles: including 12 dragon tiles (hongzhong, facai, white board) and 16 wind tiles (dong, nan, xi, bei).
- Extra tiles (used in some rules): 4 flower tiles (spring, summer, autumn, winter) and 4 season tiles (plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum).

3. Basic gameplay
- Each player starts with 13 cards, and the dealer has 14 cards.
- The goal of the game is to make a "Mahjong" by drawing and discarding cards, that is, the 14 cards include "four groups of cards" and "a pair of pairs".
- Pair: two identical cards.
- A group: can be three identical cards (called "pong"), or three consecutive numbers of the same suit (called "chi").

4. Card playing process
- The game is played in a counterclockwise direction, and each player draws cards from the wall and plays a hand card.
- Players can choose to pick up the cards just played by other players (if they can complete "pong", "chi" or "gang"), and the priority is the highest for the player who can "hupai".
- The wall consists of two rows of cards, 17 cards in each row, a total of 34 cards, forming a closed rectangle.

5. Winning Conditions
- When a player's hand meets "four sets of cards and one pair", they can "win" (i.e. complete Mahjong). Some special hand patterns (such as "seven pairs" or "thirteen Yao") may not follow this rule, but still work.

Mahjong is a very complex game with very esoteric rules, and you may need to "see a more in-depth guide on Mahjong rules here"

The charm and cultural significance of Mahjong

Mahjong is not only a game, but also an important part of Chinese culture. It emphasizes strategy, calculation and social skills, and also provides an excellent opportunity for family gatherings and interactions between friends. The rules of Mahjong vary with region and culture, forming a wide variety of local playing methods, such as Hong Kong Mahjong, Japanese Mahjong and Sichuan Mahjong.

In modern society, Mahjong is also regarded as a tool for training the brain, helping to improve memory and logical thinking. With the digital development of Mahjong, online Mahjong games have also given this ancient game a new lease of life, allowing it to continue to attract players around the world.

Whether it is the traditional offline gameplay or the modern online version, mahjong has become one of the most beloved classic games in the world with its unique charm and profound cultural heritage.

Chinese Chess: A Game of Intellect in the East

Chinese chess is one of the most popular board games in Asia and a variant of chess. Despite the different rules, chess has many similarities with Western chess in terms of strategy and confrontation. It is not only widely popular in China, but also popular throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia.

The Origin and History of Chess

Chinese chess has a long history, and its origins can be traced back to the Warring States Period more than 2,000 years ago. Documents such as "Shuowen Jiezi" first recorded this chess activity and believed that it was closely related to war simulation. Chess is considered to be a microcosm of ancient war strategy. The river boundaries, arms, and generals on the chessboard symbolize the deployment of troops on the real battlefield.

The "elephant" in the word "chess" has multiple meanings. It can refer to the elephant chess piece in the game, and it can also be extended to an abstract "graphic". This makes the name of chess both figurative and profound.

Many scholars believe that Chinese chess has a common origin with Western chess, India's Chaturanga and other chess games. These chess games may have spread to each other through trade routes such as the Silk Road in ancient times, and evolved into unique forms in various places.

Chess board and pieces

The chess board is a 9×10 rectangular board. The unique feature is that there is a "Chu River and Han River" running through the center of the board, symbolizing the Chu-Han contention in history. Each player has the following pieces:

- General (1): symbolizes the king, the core of the game.

- Scholar (2): the guard of the general, with a limited range of movement, limited to the "Nine Palaces".

- Elephant (2): symbolizes an elephant, can move across two points, but cannot cross the "River".

- Horse (2): similar to the knight in Western chess, but its jump is restricted by the "stuck horse leg" rule.

- Rook (2): similar in function to the rook in chess, with no restrictions on straight-line movement.

- Cannon (2): must capture enemy pieces by "shooting across the mountain", that is, attacking the target after jumping over a piece.

- Pawns (5): small combat units that become more mobile after crossing the river.

Unlike Western chess, the chessboard is different in that the pieces are placed at intersections rather than in squares, which adds to the uniqueness of the chessboard.

Basic rules of chess

1. Game goal

- Win by "checking" the opponent's general and general with no way to retreat, or forcing the opponent into a state where they can no longer make legal moves.

- Unlike chess, a "stalemate" in chess is not considered a draw, but a direct victory for the attacking party.

2. Key rules
- Generals and generals cannot face each other: In the same column, there must always be a piece blocking the generals and generals of both sides, and they cannot "face each other" directly.

- Three check rule: The same piece and position cannot be checked more than three times in a row. Players who violate the rule will be judged as losers.

- No pursuit rule: It is forbidden to endlessly pursue the same piece or repeatedly attack in the same position.

3. Move and capture chess pieces
- Each chess piece has a unique movement rule, such as the elephant can only move diagonally, but cannot cross the blocked grid point (called "blocking the elephant's eye").

- The attack of the cannon needs to be separated by a chess piece, which reflects its strong penetrating power.

The charm and cultural significance of chess

Chinese chess is not only a game, but also a cultural symbol. It embodies the military philosophy and strategic thinking of ancient China, such as the concepts of "knowing yourself and knowing the enemy" and "defeating the strong with the weak" mentioned in "The Art of War".

Chess is simple to learn, but difficult to master. It not only tests the player's logical reasoning and layout ability, but also requires making wise decisions in a rapidly changing situation. In addition, chess also plays an important role in family gatherings and interactions with friends, and is an important medium for connecting emotions.

With the deepening of cultural exchanges, Chinese chess has gradually gone global and has enthusiastic player groups in many countries. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) also has a special chess competition to give this ancient intellectual game a new vitality.

Chess is not only a battle on the chessboard, but also an inheritance of wisdom and culture.

Pai Gow: Traditional Chinese Gambling Game

Pai Gow is an ancient traditional Chinese gambling game that is considered one of the earliest forms of entertainment in the history of casinos. Although modern Pai Gow Poker (Double-Handed Poker) was inspired by Pai Gow, they differ significantly in terms of rules and gameplay. Traditional Pai Gow is unique and has become one of the most popular games in casinos in China and other regions due to its deep cultural heritage and unique game mechanics.

History and Modern Popularity of Pai Gow

The name Pai Gow can be roughly translated as "making nine points", as nine points is the highest score (with some specific exceptions). Its history dates back hundreds of years and is closely related to traditional Chinese dominoes. Over time, Pai Gow gradually spread to places such as Macau, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, becoming an indispensable part of casinos in these regions.

Pai Gow is not only a gambling game, but also a part of traditional Chinese culture. It combines strategy, luck, and skill to provide players with an exciting gaming experience.

Pai Gow Game Cards and Design

The cards used in Pai Gow are different from ordinary dominoes, with a total of 32 cards. The cards are divided into 16 pairs, each with a unique name and point combination. Each card displays 2 to 12 points, and the arrangement of the points determines the rank and value of the card. The design of these decks reflects the beauty of symmetry and traditional Chinese mathematical concepts.

Basic Rules of Pai Gow

1. Number of Players
- At least 2 players can play the game, and up to 8 players can play.
- Each player competes based on the combination of cards dealt.

2. Points and Combinations of Cards
- The goal of Pai Gow is to form a combination with a total of points as close to or equal to 9 as possible.
- If the sum of the points is greater than 9, the single digit is taken. For example, the total of 15 points is scored as 5.

3. Pairs of Cards
- Each card belongs to a pair, with a total of 16 pairs. Pairs have higher value in the game.
- All pairs are sorted by size, and the largest pair is usually called the "Heaven Pair", followed by the "Earth Pair", and then the other pairs in order.
- The sum of the points of non-pair cards determines their value, but it is usually lower than that of pairs.

4. Game Mechanics
- Players form two hands (2 cards each) based on the 4 cards dealt.
- The winner is determined by competing with the dealer's two hands.
- The winning condition depends on the sum of the points of the two hands and their combination strategy.

The charm and strategy of Pai Gow

Pai Gow combines simple mathematical operations with well-thought-out strategies. It is a game that requires both luck and skill. Players need to adjust their games according to their opponents' actions to increase their chances of winning.
In addition, the cultural background of Pai Gow gives the game a deeper meaning. For example, many card names and point combinations are related to traditional Chinese philosophy and auspicious meanings, which adds interest to the game.

The status of Pai Gow in modern casinos

Today, Pai Gow has become an indispensable game in casinos in Macau, Las Vegas and other places. Its easy-to-learn rules and deep strategic nature have attracted countless novice and veteran players. Especially in Asia, Pai Gow is still a classic game in casinos, symbolizing the perfect combination of good luck and strategy.

Pai Gow is not only a game, but also a heritage of history and culture.

Conclusion

China's traditional board and card games carry thousands of years of culture and wisdom. From the fusion of strategy and philosophy to the game of skills and luck, these games have gone beyond the scope of entertainment and become an important part of cultural heritage. From the complex and profound Go to the exciting Pai Gow, each game shows the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture.

Whether you are playing for leisure or learning, exploring these classic games will be an unforgettable journey. This is not only a challenge to your thinking, but also a door to Chinese history and wisdom. I hope these traditional games can bring you endless fun and inspire your further interest and love for Chinese culture!