Koikoi is a captivating game played with Hanafuda, the traditional Japanese playing cards. If you're eager to dive into this culturally rich game, here's a simple guide on how to play Koikoi.

How to Play Koikoi

To begin, players take turns discarding a card onto the table. The key to the game is matching the months depicted on the cards. When you successfully match a card's month with one already on the table, you can capture both cards. This is the essence of Koikoi—strategically collecting cards.

The game can reach a conclusion if you achieve a 'flush' with your collected cards, meaning you've gathered cards that represent all the months. At this point, you can choose to end the game and claim the points you've earned. Alternatively, you have the option to continue playing, aiming to accumulate even more points.

It's important to note that if neither player can score, the round ends in a draw, and no points are awarded. The ultimate goal is to outscore your opponent over the course of 12 rounds. The player with the highest total points at the end of these rounds emerges as the winner.

One of the conveniences of modern Koikoi is that your game records will be saved automatically, allowing you to track your progress and improve your strategy over time.

Now that you know the basics, why not give Koikoi a try? Immerse yourself in the beauty of Hanafuda and enjoy the strategic depth this game has to offer.