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Step 1
Understand the casino's rules before you start playing. Since there are several variations to the game, your rules may not be the same as the house, and you always play by the house rules. This is also when you must determine betting limits and announce when each person can bet.
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Step 2
Know the point system of the cards. Picture cards are worth 10 points, Aces are low and worth 1. All the other cards in the deck carry their face value.
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Step 3
Call out "Tonk" if the 5 cards you are dealt add up to 49 or 50. You will receive double the original bet from each player. If more than one player has a Tonk, there is no payment. The cards are thrown back into the deck, shuffled and the next player clockwise deals.
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Step 4
Drop all the cards in your hand, on the table face up, if you feel that you have the lowest point count in your hand. If you are right you win the basic bet from each of the players at the table. If you are mistaken, you must pay twice the basic bet to each player that has the same or lower count as you.
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Step 5
Draw a card from the deal pile or the discard pile before each of your turns. Search to see which will best reduce the number of cards in your hand while increasing their points on the table. Place any cards in front of you to play off someone else's book or run during your turn. End your turn by discarding one of the cards in your hand. Lay any runs or books on the table.
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Step 6
End the game when the deal pile runs out or someone gets rid of all of his cards by either playing them on the table or discarding. Add up the points in front of each player on the table and subtract the points in your hand. Winner is the player who has the most points.
