How to Play Dou Dizhu
Description
One player takes the kitty and fights alone — the other two team up to bring them down.
Also known as: Fight the Landlord; Dòu Dìzhǔ
Objective
Be the Landlord playing alone against two teamed-up opponents, or one of those opponents — either way, be first to empty your hand.
Setup
Three players, using a 54-card deck (standard deck plus two Jokers).
Deal seventeen cards to each player, with three extra cards set aside face down.
Players bid for the right to become the Landlord; the highest bidder takes the three extra cards and plays alone against the other two, who team up against them for the hand.
Rules
The Landlord leads first, playing a single card, a pair, a run, or another valid combination.
Each player in turn must beat the last play with a higher combination of the same type and size, or pass.
Once both other players pass, the winner of that exchange leads a fresh round with anything they like.
Four of a kind is a "bomb," beating anything except a higher bomb or the "rocket" — both Jokers played together, the single strongest play in the game.
Winning
Whoever empties their hand first wins for their side — if it's the Landlord, they win alone; if it's either peasant, both peasants win together.