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 Big 2?

Five-card hands climb from straight to flush, full house, four of a kind plus any fifth card, then straight flush. In the Taiwanese house rule used here, four of a kind plus any fifth card can cover any play.

Taiwanese Big Two guide

How to Play Big 2

Big 2, also called Big Two, Da Lao Er, Dah Lao Er, 大老二, and 13, is a classic Taiwanese-style shedding game where 2 is the biggest card and the goal is to empty your hand first.

Play Online Multiplayer Practice Solo with CPU

Quick Rules

3 clubs starts The player holding 3 clubs opens the first trick. The opening play must include 3 clubs.

2 is boss Ranks climb 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A, then 2 as the strongest rank.

Match the table Singles beat singles, pairs beat pairs, triples beat triples, and five-card hands fight five-card hands.

Pass is temporary If you cannot beat the table, pass. When everyone else passes, the last player controls the next lead.

Card Order

Big 2 is not poker high-card order. The 2 sits above the ace, which is why the game feels so different in the endgame.

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Suit tie-breaker from weakest to strongest: clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades.

How Turns Work

1. Lead a legal combo If the table is empty, lead a single, pair, triple, or five-card hand.

2. Beat the same shape If a pair is down, you need a higher pair. If a five-card hand is down, you need a stronger five-card hand.

3. Take control When everyone else passes, you win control and can start a new combo.

4. Empty your hand The round ends when a player has no cards left. Everyone else pays based on cards remaining.

Five-Card Hands

Five-card hands are where Big 2 gets dramatic. Boba Big 2 uses this Taiwanese house ladder:

Straight
Flush
Full house
Four of a kind plus any fifth card
Straight flush

House bomb rule: four of a kind plus one random card can cover any play on the table, even a single, pair, or straight flush.

Scoring in Boba Big 2

Players start a table with table money and play for points.
At round end, cards left pay the winner.
1 to 9 cards left count x1, 10 to 12 cards count x2, and 13 or more cards count x3.
Held 2s, bombs, or power-card finishes can double the penalty.
Solo CPU games are practice. Public reward leaderboards focus on verified online tables with real players.

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 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 Big 2 creates online rooms with invite links, CPU fill seats, solo practice, one-tap rematches, chat, table reactions, and Taiwanese-style rules.