Pachisa rules
How to play Pachisa
Pachisa is an offline Android card game for one player against two bots. Each round gives you 17 cards to arrange into five three-card sets. The best set in each comparison scores a point, and the first player to reach 25 wins.
This guide explains the deal, the arrange timer, all six set rankings, and how points carry from one round to the next.
Download Pachisa on Google Play
The round
From the deal to five sets
1. Receive your cards
You and both bots receive 17 cards. One additional card is placed face up. A player holding the 2♠ takes that open card; otherwise it goes to the garbage.
2. Arrange five sets
Choose five groups of three cards before the timer ends. This uses 15 cards; any cards left out go to the garbage. You can set the arrange timer from one to five minutes.
3. Compare and score
Pachisa orders each player's five sets by strength. The strongest sets face each other, then the second-strongest sets, until all five positions have been compared.
Card combinations
Pachisa set rankings, strongest to weakest
Every set contains exactly three cards. A stronger category beats a weaker one; within a category, card values decide the comparison.
| Rank | Set | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trail | Three cards of the same rank. | A♠ A♥ A♦ |
| 2 | Pure Sequence | Three consecutive cards of the same suit. | 10♥ 9♥ 8♥ |
| 3 | Impure Sequence | Three consecutive cards with mixed suits. | A♠ K♥ Q♦ |
| 4 | Same Suit | Three cards of one suit that do not form a sequence. | A♥ J♥ 5♥ |
| 5 | One Pair | Two cards of the same rank plus a third card. | K♣ K♦ 7♠ |
| 6 | High Card | No other combination; compare the highest cards in order. | A♥ J♣ 8♦ |
A-K-Q and A-2-3 can form sequences, but K-A-2 cannot. For a High Card set, compare the highest card first, followed by the next card if needed.
Scoring
Score one point per winning comparison
The highest set across the three players at each position earns one point. If the best sets tie, that comparison awards no point. A normal round has five comparisons, and scores carry into the next deal. The first player with at least 25 points wins the match.
There is also a Four of a Kind bonus: if you hold all four cards of one rank and use all four across your five sets while your score is below 20, you can earn five bonus points. Discarding one of the four cards loses that bonus.
Tips for your next hand
- Look for stronger categories before comparing individual high cards.
- Check how each choice affects the five sets you still need to make.
- Keep an eye on the arrange timer; unplaced cards are discarded when it expires.
- Use one of your two hints per game if a difficult hand leaves you stuck.
Common questions
Pachisa questions and answers
Can I play Pachisa without internet?
Yes. The core game runs offline after you install it on Android. An internet connection is needed only if you choose to watch an optional rewarded ad.
Is Pachisa a single-player game?
Yes. You play against two computer-controlled opponents. Choose Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty in the app.
How many cards go into a set?
Each set contains three cards. You arrange five sets, using 15 cards in total, and discard any cards you do not place.
How do you win a Pachisa match?
The strongest set in each three-player comparison earns a point. Scores carry across rounds, and the first player to reach at least 25 points wins.
Is Pachisa the same as Pachisi?
No. Pachisa is this Android card game built around three-card sets. Pachisi is the name of a different traditional board game.
Ready to build your five sets?
Install Pachisa on Android and play the core card game offline against two bots. No account is required.
Get Pachisa on Google Play