
- BGG rank
- BGG #111
- BGG rating
- 7.8
SKAUT
- 2–5 players
- 20 min
- Complexity 1.4/5
- 2019

Rules assistance for Tien Len
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

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Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Tien Len is a board game for 2–8 players, 20 minutes per game, and ages 10 and up. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Ladder Climbing.
Tien Len can be considered the national card game of Vietnam; the name of the game, means Go Forward. Probably as a result of the Vietnam war, Tien Len has spread to some parts of the USA, and sometimes it is also called Thirteen. Tien Len is a climbing game (like Zheng Shangou, Big Two, Tichu, Gang of Four, or President) in which the aim is to get rid of your cards as soon as possible by beating combinations of cards played by the other players. Its distinctive feature among those games is the use of various pair-runs like 2-2-3-3-4-4 to trump single and pairs of 2s. The game is for four players. A standard 52 card deck is used. There are no Jokers and no wild cards. The ranking of the cards is: Two (highest), Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three (lowest). Within each rank there is also an order of suits: Hearts (highest), Diamonds, Clubs, Spades (lowest). Among climbing games, Tien Len's most distinctive feature is its unique mechanic for "bombing" the high deuces: a 3-finger run (e.g. 445566) trumps a single 2; a 4-finger run (e.g. 44556677) trumps a pair of 2's; a 5-finger run trumps a trio of 2's; and a 6-finger run beats a quad of 2s.
Tien Len supports 2–8 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Tien Len is 20 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Tien Len for ages 10 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Tien Len has a complexity rating of 1.9 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Tien Len belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Hand Management and Ladder Climbing. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Tien Len as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.