Tiến lên - Go forward

Cumulative hours spent (so far): 83h

About

This is a C implementation of the Vietnamese card game "Tiến lên", also known as "Thirteen", "Killer" and other regional names. It features online-play functionality for up to four players using TCP sockets, allowing play over a network or a locally hosted machine. The game was written in C, as a personal challenge, and to improve my C capabilities. The user interface was built using the Ncurses library, while everything else (networking, game logic, supporting systems) were implemented by myself.

Early demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jQoaFLRqjY

Setup

server.c and client.c need to be compiled using a standard C compiler, such as gcc, cmake or any other.

server.c

$ gcc server.c utils/conn_utils.c utils/cards.c -o server -pthread

client.c

$ gcc client.c utils/cards.c utils/conn_utils.c utils/draw_utils.c utils/hands.c -lncursesw -o client

Run server on a machine, and connect via client, by typing in the corresponding IP. Locally hosted games are also possible, simply leave the IP field blank, when setting up the server, aswell as when you're connecting via the client.

Game rules

This is a slightly modified implementation of the game, using the standard rules and some house rules we (my friends and I) are playing by.

Cards:

A standard deck of 52 cards is used. 13 cards are given to up to 4 players, even if less than 4 players are connected. The ranking of the cards is as follows:
3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 J Q K A 2
The suit ranking is as follows:
♠ ♣ ♦ ♥
meaning the lowest possible card is a 3 of Aces, and the highest being a 2 of Hearts.
For the first hand, a random player is chosen. For subsequent hands, the loser of the previous hand begins. Players in turn discard single cards, or card combinations to a central pile. The objective of the game is to be the last player to hold any cards.

Valid combinations are:

1. A single card (High card)
2. A pair of cards (Pair)
3. A triplet of cards (Trips)
4. A quartet of cards (Quads)
5. A sequence of 3 or more (Straight) - suit doesn't matter
6. A double-sequence of 3 or more (Two-pair straight) - suit doesn't matter

A sequence may not "overflow", meaning that while K A 2 is a valid sequence, A 2 3 isn't. Each player, in turn, may either play or pass. To play, they must contribute a card or combination to the pile that matches the type currently being played, but beating it in rank or suit. The highest suited card inside a pair or sequence determines the suit needed to beat it. So to beat a sequence ending with a King of Spades, a sequence ending with a King of Diamonds at minimium must be played, or naturally a higher ranking sequence. Playing continues until there is a card or combination no one can beat, its player then starting the next round. Once a player has passed, they may not contribute to the pile again and have to wait until the next round. If a player finishes their cards on their turn, the turn must be continued by the next player. If the next player cannot match their card, they may start a new round.

House rules

Bombs

Usually, when playing a High card round, a 2 of Hearts is unbeatable, as naturally it is the highest card. However, so-called Bombs beat them.

1. A single 2 can be beaten with a double-sequence of 3 or more pairs, or with a quartet.
2. A pair of 2's can be beaten with a double-sequence of 4 or more pairs, or with a quartet.
3. A triplet of 2's can be beaten with a double-sequence of 5 or more pairs.

Instant win

Having a quartet of 2's on hand, automatically wins the game, regardless of being played or not.

TODO:

• add game logic

  client:

  • add ui element to signify what type of hand is being played right now
  • add pass button to ui (pressing space while highlighting nothing passes)
  • display score counter
  • display server messages indicating which player played what
  • display server message indicating player passed

  server:

  • add waiting room for connecting players
  • server needs to deal cards to players
  • add general game logic (including bombs, instant win etc.)
  • add turn based card laying by clients (playing cards or passing)
  • add score tracking (winning a game adds one point to the respective player)

future:

• add special message if player won with 3 of aces
• maybe add pot system? (visual only)