Giog
Giog is a game played by two to four players. It can either be played for fun or as a serious competition. It contains a considerable amount of luck, strategic and psychological elements.
| Players | 2 to 4 |
|---|---|
| Age range | Any |
| Setup time | < 1 minute |
| Playing time | 5-10 minutes |
| Random chance | Medium |
| Skill(s) required | Tactics, Psychology |
Equipment
Like Banqi, Giog uses xiangqi pieces. For Giog, it is important that the backs as well as the rims of the pieces be indistinguishable from each other so the pieces cannot be identified when face down. There are seven piece types in the game: Pawns, Cannons, Horses (or Knights), Chariots (or Rooks), Advisors (or Elephants), Guards, Generals (or Kings), respectively shown in the figure below. There are altogether 32 pieces and 2 colors. Let's say the colors are Red and Black.
Set Up
All players help to scramble the 32 pieces face down and distribute the pieces evenly to themselves. If the number of players is three, the winner of the previous game or a volunteer receives 12 pieces and the other two players receive 10 pieces each. Like a Mahjong game, each player arranges his/her pieces into one line with half of the pieces on top of the other half. Figure below shows how 3 players arrange their pieces.
The Ranking of Pieces
The ranking of pieces in Giog is identical to Banqi's ranking. That is, in ascending order:
- Pawns < Cannons < Horses < Chariots < Advisors < Guards < Generals.
The exceptions are: firstly, a black piece is always inferior than a red piece of the type.
- Black < Red.
For example, Red Horse wins Black Horse. And also, Pawns are inferior than Generals.
Determining the Order of players
Each of the players now reveals (turns up) any one lower piece not in his/her own profile. He/she then places the revealed piece face up on top of the other face down piece. The ranking of the 4 revealed pieces determines the order of the players who revealed them. Should there be a tie among some players, they apply the same procedures again by revealing more lower pieces until the order is finally determined.
Choosing and collecting pieces
The first player (who revealed or subsequently revealed the strongest piece in the previous process) starts to choose his pieces. He/she may only choose his pieces starting from a left or right head duo in any player's profile. He/she therefore has as many choices as twice the number of players. Following the first player, the second, third and fourth players consecutively collect their pieces, two at one time. The process is repeated until no piece (4-player game), 2 pieces (3-player game), 8 pieces (2-player game) are remained. These pieces are kept face down at a side and do not enter the game. Figure below shows John, having revealed a Black general starts to collect his first two pieces from no. 1 position. Kate who reveals a Red Guard collects the no. 2 duo. John misses the Black General but is consoled by the Red Guard at no. 7.
Playing the game
The first player plays his pieces first. He/she or any player who starts a new round may play the following 6 valid combinations of a same color:
- "Liab": Single. Any piece.
- "Dui": Double. Any 2 identical pieces.
- "Giog": A triple of a certain combination:
- 1 Chariot + 1 Horse + 1 Cannon
- 1 Cannon + 1 Advisor + 1 Guard
- 1 General + 1 Guard + 1 Advisor
- "Sam Mui": 3 identical pieces.
- "Si Mui": 4 identical pieces.
- "Wu Mui": 5 identical pieces.
Each of the other players must play the same number of pieces. A player may play any pieces regardless of color or rank if he/she does not have the above valid combinations. The ranking of "Liab" is as before. Bear in mind that Black < Red. The ranking of "Dui" is same as the ranking of "Liab". The ranking of "Giog" is as follows:
- Chariot, Horse, Cannon < Cannon, Advisor, Guard < General, Guard, Advisor.
The ranking of "Sam Mui", "Si Mui" and "Wu Mui" are according to color, since only pawns are possible to form them.
The player who played the strongest combinations of a same type (as what the round-starter played) wins that round. If there is a tie, the round-starter always wins, or the order of players determines the winner. For example, if the first and fourth player play the same combinations, first player wins unless fourth player is the round-starter. The winner of a round collects the won pieces and starts a new round. The game is played until all pieces are exhausted. The winner will go to the player who wins most pieces.
Beheading the Cock
It is forbidden to play a General in the first or last round, either as a single piece or as part of a valid or non-valid combination. If a player is forced or tricked to play a general in the first or last round, then it is said that a cock is beheaded, and that player is considered the ultimate loser of the game even if he wins most pieces.