More than halfway through 2025, the GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup, also known as the GTCC, continues to lead the way as the Philippines’ biggest Tongits tournament—online and offline.
The highlight of this year so far?
The GTCC Summer Showdown, held in June, which featured a thrilling live Tongits competition. The top three players walked away with big prizes and bragging rights as top-tier contenders.
If you missed out—no worries. GameZone is ramping up for the next big event: the GTCC September Arena.
Whether you’re a casual Tongits player or a newbie curious about competitive gameplay, this guide has you covered.
We’ll explain the basics of how to play Tongits, share strategic tips, and walk you through the process of joining the GTCC.
What is Tongits?
Tongits is a classic Filipino card game similar to rummy. It’s played with a standard 52-card deck and is best enjoyed by three players. The game mixes logic, bluffing, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck.
Let’s break it down.
Game Objective
The main goal in Tongits is to:
- Discard all your cards by forming sets and sequences
OR
- Have the lowest card value in your hand if the draw pile runs out.
Winning requires smart decisions—especially when to play, draw, discard, or fold.
Game Setup
- Players: 3
- Cards per player:
- Dealer gets 13 cards
- Other players get 12 cards
- Dealer gets 13 cards
- Draw pile: Remaining cards placed face down
- Discard pile: One card thrown by the dealer to begin
Tongits Gameplay Basics
1. Starting the Game
The dealer begins by discarding one card face-up to start the discard pile. Then, the game moves clockwise.
2. Your Turn
When it’s your turn, you can:
- Draw a card from the draw pile, or
- Pick the top card from the discard pile
After drawing, you can do the following:
- Form a meld (a valid set of cards)
- Add to an existing meld on the table (called sapaw)
- Discard one card to end your turn
3. Card Combinations (Melds)
You can create:
- Three of a Kind – e.g., 8♦ 8♠ 8♣
- Straight Flush – e.g., 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ (same suit, in order)
Key Tongits Terms You Should Know
Sapaw
Adding your card(s) to another player’s meld.
Example: Another player laid down 4♦ 5♦ 6♦, and you have a 7♦ — you can sapaw it to their combination.
Calling Tongits
If you discard all your cards on your turn, call “Tongits!” to win immediately. But be careful—if you forget to say it, you risk losing the round.
Calling a Draw
If no one has declared Tongits and the draw pile is empty, players can call a draw. Everyone reveals their cards, and the player with the lowest unmatched total wins.
Sunog
If you haven’t laid down any melds and someone calls a draw, you become sunog (burned) and automatically lose.
Agos
If someone calls a draw and you haven’t played your melds yet, you can lay down all your combinations at once.
You might not win, but it keeps you from being sunog.
How to Win a Game of Tongits
You can win in three ways:
- Calling “Tongits” by discarding all your cards
- Having the lowest card value during a draw
- Using agos to prevent sunog if you’re caught off-guard
10 Beginner-Friendly Tongits Tips for GTCC
To succeed in a competitive arena like the GTCC, you need more than luck. Here are strategies that can help you play smarter.
1. Study Your Starting Hand
Check if you already have a pair or near-melds. Early planning helps you prioritize what to keep and what to discard.
2. Lay Down Melds Early
Don’t hold onto combinations for too long. Playing melds early lowers your risk of becoming sunog if someone calls a draw.
3. Watch What Others Discard
Observing discarded cards gives you insight into your opponents’ strategy. For example, repeated discards of hearts might mean they’re avoiding a flush.
4. Discard With Purpose
Avoid throwing cards that could complete someone else’s meld—especially middle cards like 5s, 6s, or 7s.
5. Be Strategic With Sapaw
Use sapaw to reduce your card total, but don’t give away too much of your hand unless it’s necessary.
6. Delay Drawing (Wisely)
Call a draw only when your card total is low, and you’re confident others have more unmatched cards.
7. Use Discards to Bluff
You can bluff by discarding cards that suggest a false pattern. For instance, throwing away 4♠ after playing 2♠ 3♠ might confuse your opponents.
8. Stay Flexible
Adapt your strategy as the game evolves. If you can’t build a straight flush, consider forming a three-of-a-kind instead.
9. Know When to Fold
If your hand is full of high cards and others are laying down combos, it might be better to fold than risk a bigger loss.
10. Practice Often
Playing regularly helps you develop a feel for timing, combinations, and bluffing. Learn from each game—win or lose.
How to Join the GTCC September Arena
If you’re ready to put your Tongits skills to the test, here’s how you can join the upcoming GTCC event.
1. Sign Up for a GameZone Account
Go to the official GameZone PH website or download the app on iOS or Android.
Register with your email and set up your player profile. It’s free!
2. Complete the KYC Process
You’ll need to verify your identity to be eligible for tournaments.
Requirements:
- Must be 21 years old and above
- Must not be part of any restricted player lists
3. Join Qualifiers in August 2025
GameZone holds official qualifying tournaments throughout August.
These include daily and weekly Multitable Tournaments (MTT). Winning games and placing consistently earns you points.
4. Climb the GTCC Leaderboard
The more you win, the higher you climb. Your ranking on the GTCC leaderboard determines whether you get an invite to the main event.
5. Qualify for the September Arena
Top-performing players (usually the top 100–135) will receive invites to the GTCC September semi-finals and finals—where the real action begins.
Why Join the GTCC?
Joining the GTCC gives you:
- A shot at national recognition
- Access to exclusive prizes
- A chance to test your skills against the best Tongits players in the Philippines
But it’s more than a competition. It’s a celebration of Filipino culture, community, and card-playing brilliance.
Whether you’re gunning for the prize or simply want to experience the thrill, the GTCC is the place to be.
Final Thoughts
Tongits may be rooted in Filipino tradition, but with GameZone’s GTCC, it’s entering a bold new era of competition.
If you’ve ever wanted to show what you’re made of—or even just sharpen your game—now’s the time.
So what are you waiting for? Join the GTCC September Arena, and play your way into history.
