Chu Han

• Designer: Tom Lehmann
• Publisher: Matagot
• Players: 2
• Age: 14+
• Time: 25 minutes
• Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4fdQF1B 
• Played with review copy provided by publisher

Chu Han is a two-player card game of dynastic intrigue set in ancient China before and during the Chu-Han Contention, 206-202 BCE. Two clans, the Han and Chu, vie to supplant the weak Qin ruler and forge China’s first true dynasty. Historically, the Chu began in a stronger position, but the Han managed to defeat them. Chu Han is a trick-taking, climbing, and shedding game with special powers consisting of multiple hands. Players begin each hand with a mixture of Chu and Han cards, representing strains within clans, hostage taking, and shifting allegiances. Optional Events and two historical campaigns provide additional variety. The goal is to score 31 points before the other player. Can you outmaneuver your rival to found a new dynasty?

In this game, each player takes control of a clan, either the Han or the Chu.  The first player takes the Han score card and places it on 0 of their score track.  The other player is the Chu, and they place their score card on the 1 space of their track.  All the cards are shuffled and each player gets a hand of 15 cards.  The remaining 16 cards are the dynasty deck, they are set aside, and the bottom 4 cards of the Dynasty Deck are turned sideways to show that they will never enter play.   The deck has 9 cards of rank 1, 8 cards of rank 2, … 1 card of rank 9.  Additionally, there is a card of rank 0 which is wild.

The goal in each hand is to get rid of all the cards in their hand first. The hand is played in a series of tricks. The starting player plays a combination from their hand, and then their opponent must play a set of the same size and of higher value or else they pass.  This continues until someone passes, and the other player wins the trick, and then leads the next trick.  Note that all of the 3s and 6s have unique special powers.

In slightly more detail – 

• the lead player first can choose to play a Lead power and/or take a writ and draw 2 cards. 
  • Lead powers (look at top 4 cards of the draw pile, discard one card from their hand, take a card of rank 5 or lower from the discard pile)
• the lead player must play a set of at least 1 card, all of the same rank.  If you play a “0” card with a set, the “0” takes on the rank of the other cards it is played with.  If played as a single card, it has a rank of “0”
• The other player then may take a writ and draw two cards
• Then the other player must respond, either with a set of same size but higher rank OR pass
• If you play 6 or more cards of value “2”, you score as many VPs as cards played.
• Continue going back and forth until someone passes.
• The player who won the previous trick leads the next

The round continues until someone runs out of cards in their hand. That player scores 1VP per card left in their opponent’s hand (max 5) as well as 1 point per writ taken by their opponent.  The game ends immediately when a player has 31 points.

My thoughts on the game

I first learned about this game a few years ago – shown at a meeting with Matagot at a convention somewhere.  Normally, the idea of a two player trick taking or climbing game doesn’t sound overly appealing – but after my first demo hand of this game, I was sold.  It probably doesn’t hurt that the designer, Tom Lehman, has made many games that fall into my sweet spot, and Chu Han is no exception.

As with many climbing games, timing is paramount.  The goal is to play all the cards in your hand, but you’ll likely do better by not always playing the best available combination at every opportunity – but rather setting your hand up so that you can play consecutive winning combinations to exit the hand.

One of the complicating factors here are the cards with special abilities – these can definitely turn a hand on its head and can be devastating when played at the right time.  The other twist are the writs – where a player can draw two cards into their hand.  Sure, this now causes you to have two more cards to get rid of, but a good draw could also help you form a combination to play at a critical moment.

The winner of the hand usually scores a nice bonus, but in a close hand, the winner might only get one or two points.  The players will definitely have to weigh the risk of taking writs for extra cards because each writ will lead to a point for their opponent if they lose the hand with it.  Players should definitely not miss the opportunity to play a huge combination of 2s – scoring 5+ points in a single play is a good way to hit the total of 31.

The artwork is beautiful and the icons are easy to grok.  I would also like to point out that I love the way that the full size box also includes a way to pack the game up in a compact travel form.  While I much prefer the full sized components, it is actually quite thoughtful for the company to include a folding box and thin scoreboard to take the game on the road in the smallest form factor possible.  Chapeau!

Thoughts from other Opinionated Gamers

Doug G (Garrett’s Games Podcast/Media): I enjoyed this one quite a bit, teaching it to my nephew who immediately wanted a copy of his own (Christmas present success!). Shelley found it a bit more challenging as she tried to figure out how to use the special powers to her advantage, but this is a solid 2-player game that answers the question – is it possible to do a successful 2-player climbing game? YES!

Joe Huber (6 plays of the prototype): While many find two the easiest number to find for gaming, for me such opportunities are rare – in no small part because I enjoy having more folks at the table.  Which in this case is unfortunate – because I like Chu Han, but I’m trying to thin out two player games in my collection, not add to them.  Fortunately, enough friends have or will have copies that I’ll have the chance to play it more.

I will also note – I was very pleased when, on my most recent play, I managed to win the game against Tom, the designer.  Just barely, and I was a bit lucky – but I think it’s indicative of the potential for improvement at the game over many plays, which is something I always look for in a game.

Ratings from the Opinionated Gamers

• I love it! Dale Y, Doug G.
• I like it. Joe H, Steph, Mark Jackson
• Neutral.
• Not for me…

Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4fdQF1B