How to play Techu

Techu is a two-player game: Red vs Black. Aces are highest.

There are 25 playable spaces on a 5×5 grid. The player who controls the most spaces when the game ends wins.

1. Higher cards outrank lower cards.
2. A card you play must connect back to your own home row (orthogonal paths only — not diagonally).

• Split the deck into red and black. Each side shuffles their pile.
• Each player draws the top 3 cards into their hand.
• Both players play one card on the center space of their home row.
• The player who plays the lowest-ranked opening card takes the first turn in the game.
• If both opening cards are the same rank, each draws and plays again from their home row until one side is lower and first turn is decided.

• At the start of your turn, draw 1 card so you hold 3 cards (when the deck allows).
• You may play a card on any legal space as long as the two core rules above are satisfied: higher beats lower when capturing, and your placement must connect to your home row.
• After you place a card and its rank is revealed, your turn ends — the play cannot be taken back.

When both players are out of cards, the game is over. Whoever controls the most spaces on the grid wins.

• If a card in your hand has no legal placement, select it and use the ♻️ discard control (tap or drag the card there). That ends your turn.
• You may play on top of your own card if both rules are still satisfied.
• Same rank cannot be played on each other — you must play higher to capture.
• Connection to home is only vertical and horizontal, not diagonal.

A Techu celebrates the low cards changing the game. You achieve a Techu when you win the game by either:

• placing a 3 on an opponent's 2, or
• placing a 2 on an empty space for the winning play.

Note: A Techu is optional flair — like a cherry on top. You do not need a Techu to win.