Shochikubai Rules

1.     Deal Cards

 Shuffle the deck and distribute all cards equally with 3 players. With 4 players each player receives 7 cards. The remaining 2 cards are placed in the discard pile, face down.

 2.     Prepare Tokens

                         ○     Token Market (start of round):

                                ■     For 3 players: 4 tokens

                                        ■     For 4 players: 5 tokens

  Each starting market contains:

                                       ■     1 Pine, 1 Bamboo, 1 Plum

                                                        ■     Plus 2 random tokens drawn from the box

                        ○     Trick Token Sets:

 These tokens are used when restocking the market after each trick. Place face up to the side of the play area:

                                ■     3 players: 9 sets (each = 1 Pine, 1 Bamboo, 1 Plum)

                                        ■     4 players: 6 sets (each = 1 Pine, 1 Bamboo, 1 Plum)

 ○ Return the rest of the tokens to the box. The box will be used to draw additional random tokens when refilling the market.

 Note: At the start of each trick, the market must always contain one more token than the number of players. 1x Pine, 1x Bamboo, 1x Plum and 1 or 2 random tokens (based on player count)

3.     Determine Lead Player

 Randomly choose a starting player. The winner of each trick leads the next. Use the Lead Token to mark the leader.

4.     Firework Token

 Keep it within reach for when matching ranks cause fireworks.

Gameplay

Each round consists of a series of tricks.

Trick Play

1.     The lead player plays one card.

2.     On their turn, each player must either:

○      Follow Suit (if possible), or

                        ○     They “may” Follow Rank by playing the same rank as a card already in the trick.

3.     Fireworks Rule:

○      If a rank is matched, the earlier card of that rank are flipped face down.

                        ○     The player who caused the flip takes the Firework Token.

                        ○ Only the first flip of a card gets awarded the Firework Token. This can only happen in a 4 player game. If multiple cards are flipped the following two rules come into effect.

                                        ■     The most recently flipped card belongs to the last drafter.

                                        ■     The earlier flipped card belongs to the second-to-last drafter.

4.     After all cards are played, resolve the trick.

Trick Resolution

1.     Rank the Cards

 Order cards by suit strength first, then rank value.

 Example: Pine 2 > Bamboo 11 > Bamboo 7 > Plum 15

2.     Draft Tokens

 Players choose tokens in order from strongest to weakest card.

○      Flipped cards draft last (in order of flipping).

○     If a player holds the Firework Token, they return it to the table and then take the final unclaimed token from the market.

3.     Market Refresh

 After drafting, 0 or 1 tokens may remain. Carry them forward.  Before the next trick, reset the market to contain 4 tokens in a 3 player game or 5 tokens in a 4 player game. The Market must contain one of each token. If there is an unclaimed token from the previous trick this must also be included in the market, any remaining slots in the market for the current player count are filled by drawing random tokens from the supply.

Final Card Token Bonus

The last card in each player’s hand is not played. Instead, reveal it to gain a token bonus:

●      Cards with icons on the side grant tokens.

●      A star icon allows you to take any token of your choice. ●           Other icons specify a type and number of tokens.

Tokens are always taken from the box (general supply) at the end of the round.

Scoring

At the end of each round:

Token Sets

        ●     Each complete set (1 Pine + 1 Bamboo + 1 Plum) = 3 points

Token Majorities

●      Most Pine = 5 points; 2nd Most = 3 points

●      Most Bamboo = 4 points; 2nd Most = 2 points

●      Most Plum = 3 points; 2nd Most = 1 point

Ties:

●      Tie for Most → all tied players score the “Most” points. No 2nd place awarded.

● Tie for 2nd → all tied players score the 2nd place points.

Note: Tokens may be used both for sets and for majorities.

Game End

●      Record scores after each round.

●      Reshuffle the deck and reset the market for the next round.

●    After 3 rounds, the game ends.

Winner: The player with the highest cumulative score wins.

●      Tie-break 1: Most tokens collected in the final round.

●      Tie-break 2: If still tied, the tied players share victory.