Hanafuda Koi-Koi Beginner Guide
Complete Introduction from Zero
Hanafuda Koi-Koi may look complicated, but anyone can enjoy it with the basics. This guide explains step-by-step so complete beginners can start right away.
First Steps
What to know before starting Hanafuda
1. Hanafuda has 48 cards
12 months × 4 cards = 48 cards. Less than playing cards!
💡 Each month has a specific plant (January=Pine, March=Cherry, etc.)
2. Match same month cards
Match cards of same month (plant) from hand and field
💡 Just look at pictures at first
3. Make yaku for points
Create "yaku" with captured cards to score points
💡 15 yaku total, but just learn 5 to start
5 Essential Yaku to Learn First
These are enough to compete!
1. Ino-Shika-Cho (Boar-Deer-Butterfly)
5 pointsRequired cards: Clover Boar + Maple Deer + Peony Butterfly
Why recommended: High 5 points with just 3 cards! Easy to spot animals
2. Red Poetry Ribbons
5 pointsRequired cards: Red ribbons from Pine, Plum, Cherry
Why recommended: January-March red ribbons. Easy to aim early
3. Blue Ribbons
5 pointsRequired cards: Blue ribbons from Peony, Chrysanthemum, Maple
Why recommended: June, Sept, Oct blue ribbons. Color makes it clear
4. 5 Animals
1+ pointRequired cards: Collect 5 cards with animals
Why recommended: Naturally collected while aiming for Ino-Shika-Cho
5. 10 Plains
1+ pointRequired cards: Collect 10 plain cards
Why recommended: Insurance when other yaku fail
Using Practice Mode
Learn with hints
Matching cards highlighted
Same month cards light up, showing what you can capture
How to use: Use this to learn month combinations
Yaku possibilities shown
Shows which yaku you might make
How to use: Learn which cards lead to yaku
Unlimited retries
Try again anytime you fail
How to use: Experiment to find optimal plays
No time limit
Think carefully about each move
How to use: Take time to understand each play
Common Beginner Mistakes
Avoid these for faster progress!
❌ Light card obsession
Problem: 5 Lights is extremely hard. Not realistic
Solution: Think of Light cards as bonus
💡 Ino-Shika-Cho and Ribbons are easier
❌ Always calling Koi-Koi
Problem: Often lose everything to opponent reversal
Solution: Choose "Stop" at first for sure points
💡 Consider Koi-Koi only with 7+ points
❌ Not learning months
Problem: Playing randomly without improving
Solution: At least memorize key card months
💡 Start with Boar (July Clover), Deer (Oct Maple), Butterfly (June Peony)
❌ Ignoring opponent cards
Problem: Cannot tell what opponent aims for
Solution: Build habit of checking opponent captures
💡 Watch for consecutive same-type captures
❌ Discarding Plains
Problem: Lose late game with no yaku
Solution: Recognize 10 Plains as valid yaku
💡 Collect Plains alongside other yaku
Step-by-Step Progress Guide
How to improve gradually
Level 1: Learn Yaku
Goals:
- • Memorize 5 basic yaku
- • Make each yaku once in practice
- • Name yaku and required cards
🎯 Milestone: 3 wins in Practice Mode
Level 2: Learn Months
Goals:
- • Learn 12 month plants
- • Memorize key card months (Lights, Ino-Shika-Cho)
- • Capture without hints
🎯 Milestone: Win 1 Round Mode (Easy)
Level 3: Learn Strategy
Goals:
- • Read opponent intentions
- • Aim for multiple yaku
- • Understand Koi-Koi timing
🎯 Milestone: Win 1 Round Mode (Normal)
Level 4: Advanced Skills
Goals:
- • Block opponent yaku
- • Make probability decisions
- • Switch yaku by situation
🎯 Milestone: Win 12 Round Mode
Quick Start Guide!
Hanafuda debut in 5 minutes
- 1.Select Practice Mode
- 2.Use hints to match same plant cards
- 3.Try collecting "Boar", "Deer", "Butterfly"
- 4.Choose "Stop" when making yaku for points!
- 5.Challenge 1 Round Mode when comfortable
Final Words
Hanafuda Koi-Koi has much to learn, but the basics are just "matching same plants". Don't worry about losing at first - enjoy learning! With Practice Mode, you will definitely improve!