Big 2 is a climbing and shedding card game popular in Taiwan and across Asia. It is also called Big Two, Da Lao Er, 大老二, and sometimes 13 because each player usually starts with 13 cards.

What card is highest in Big 2?

The 2 is the highest rank. Cards climb from 3 through A, then 2. If ranks tie, suits decide: clubs, diamonds, hearts, then spades.

How do five-card hands rank in Boba Champs Big 2?

Five-card hands climb from straight to flush, full house, four of a kind plus any fifth card, then straight flush. Four of a kind plus any fifth card and straight flushes are honour bombs that can cover any play.

Taiwanese Big Two guide

How to Play Big 2

Big 2 (Big Two)—also called 13, Da Lao Er, Dah Lao Er, or 大老二—is a Taiwanese-style card game. Get rid of every card first. Remember: 2 is highest.

Play Online Practice Solo with CPU Watch the Quick Start

Quick video

Learn Big 2 in 90 seconds

See how to start, play, pass, and win.

Open the video directly

Easy cheat sheet

Big 2 in 5 Steps

Start with 3♣

Whoever has 3♣ goes first. Their opening play must include it.

Play, beat, or pass

Play a single, pair, or 5-card hand. Three of a kind cannot go out alone—it needs a pair to become a full house. Next, play the same kind but higher—or Pass. When all others pass, the last player starts any legal combo.

Know the card power

Ranks · low → high 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A 2

Suits · low → high ♣ Clubs → ♦ Diamonds → ♥ Hearts → ♠ Spades

Know the 5-card power

Straight→ Flush→ Full House→ Four of a Kind + 1→ Straight Flush

Straight = 5 in order · Flush = same suit · Full House = 3 + 2 · Straight Flush = 5 in order, all the same suit.

Bombs: Four of a Kind + 1 and Straight Flush can beat any play—even 2♠.

Empty your hand and score

The first player with no cards wins. Everyone else pays bubbles for cards left.

1–9 cards×1 10–12 cards×2 13+ cards×3

×2 once: you still hold a 2, Four-of-a-Kind bomb, or Straight Flush. ×2 again: the winner finishes with one of those power plays.

Everyone starts with 100 bubbles. The winner collects the penalties.

Solo games are practice.

Big 2 FAQ

Is Big 2 the same as 13?

Many players call the game 13 because each player usually starts with 13 cards in a four-player game. Boba Champs Big 2 also deals 13 cards per player in heads-up online play for a cleaner duel.

Is Big 2 like poker?

It uses poker-like five-card hands, but the goal is different. Poker tries to win a pot with the best hand. Big 2 tries to shed your whole hand first while controlling tempo.

Can I play Big 2 online with friends?

Yes. Boba Champs Big 2 creates human-only online rooms with invite links, plus solo CPU practice, one-tap rematches, chat, table reactions, and Taiwanese-style rules.