Dou Dizhu (Fight the Landlord) Strategy Guide: Rules, Tips, and How to Dominate

Dou Dizhu ("Fight the Landlord") is a fiercely competitive Chinese card game for three players, blending strategy, teamwork, and psychological warfare. One player becomes the Landlord, battling two allied Peasants to empty their hand first. With its unique bidding system, explosive bombs (four-of-a-kind or rocket combos), and dynamic partnerships, mastering Dou Dizhu requires sharp decision-making and adaptability. This guide covers core rules, optimal strategies, and advanced tactics to outplay opponents in casual and competitive settings.  

Basic Rules & Setup  

1. Deck: 54 cards (standard 52 + 2 jokers: Red Joker ★ and Black Joker ☆).  

2. Players: 3 (1 Landlord vs. 2 Peasants).  

3. Objective: The Landlord aims to play all cards first; Peasants collaborate to block them.  

4. Key Phases:  

   - Dealing: 17 cards each, 3 reserved for the Landlord.  

   - Bidding: Players bid points (1–3) to become Landlord. Highest bidder takes the 3 hidden cards.  

   - Rob the Landlord: Optional rule where players can "rob" the Landlord role by outbidding.  

Hand Rankings & Legal Combinations  

Cards are ranked 3 (low) to 2 (high), followed by jokers (☆ < ★). Valid combinations include:  

| Combination       | Example                  | Notes                          |  

|-|--|--|  

| Single        | 5♦                       | Lowest play.                   |  

| Pair          | 9♠9♥                     |                                |  

| Triplet       | J♦J♣J♠                   | Can add 1–2 cards as kickers.  |  

| Sequence      | 7♦8♦9♦10♦               | 5+ consecutive singles.        |  

| Bomb          | 4♣4♦4♥4♠                 | Beats all non-bomb hands.      |  

| Rocket        | ☆★                        | Highest combo, unbeatable.     |  

Optimal Strategy: Landlord vs. Peasant  

1. Bidding Tactics  

- Bid Aggressively If:  

  - Holding 2+ bombs/rockets.  

  - Strong sequences or high pairs (e.g., AA, KK).  

- Avoid Bidding With:  

  - Fragmented hands (many singles/low pairs).  

  - No bombs or jokers.  

2. Landlord Strategy  

- Control the Tempo: Lead with weak cards (singles/3s) to drain Peasants’ high cards.  

- Save Bombs: Use bombs to break Peasants’ critical combos (e.g., a long sequence).  

- Hide Weakness: Disguise poor hands by playing confidently to force Peasant errors.  

3. Peasant Teamwork  

- Signal Through Play:  

  - Play high cards early to show strength (e.g., A or 2).  

  - Dump low cards if your partner leads aggressively.  

- Prioritize Blocking: Save bombs to counter the Landlord’s key moves.  

Advanced Tactics  

1. Card Counting  

- Track played bombs, jokers, and high cards (2s, Aces) to predict opponents’ hands.  

- Example: If both jokers are played, the Landlord cannot have a rocket.  

2. Deceptive Play  

- Bluff with Mid-Range Combos: Play a medium bomb (e.g., 5555) to trick opponents into wasting stronger bombs.  

- False Weakness: Pretend to struggle, then unleash a hidden bomb.  

3. Bomb Economy  

- Use bombs sparingly; they’re irreplaceable.  

- Prioritize breaking Landlord’s sequences over pairs.  

Common Mistakes to Avoid  

1. Overbidding Without Bombs: Weak hands as Landlord lead to guaranteed losses.  

2. Wasting Bombs Early: Let Peasants exhaust their bombs first.  

3. Poor Communication: Peasants must coordinate via card play, not chat.  

Popular Variants  

1. Ming Pai ("Open Cards"): Landlord reveals their hand for bonus points.  

2. Shuang Kui ("Double Down"): Double stakes if Peasants fail to play any cards.  

3. No Rob: Removes the "Rob the Landlord" phase for simpler gameplay.  

Scoring System  

- Base Points: Bid multiplier (1–3) × Bomb/Rocket bonuses.  

- Landlord Win: Peasants pay Landlord base points.  

- Peasant Win: Landlord pays each Peasant base points.  

Final Verdict  

Dou Dizhu rewards bold bids, precise card management, and unspoken teamwork. Practice on apps like Tencent’s Dou Dizhu or Happy Poker to hone strategies. Master bomb timing, card counting, and psychological tricks to become a feared Landlord or unstoppable Peasant duo.