In Vietnam the equivalent game is known as tứ sắc (Sino-Vietnamese pronunciation of 四色).

Stewart Culin observes:[1] “These [cards derived from Tseung k'i=Xiangqi] seem to be peculiar to the Southern and Southeastern provinces, notably Fuhkien [Fujian] and Kwangtung [Guangdong].” It was also confirmed by the German sinologist Karl Himly,[2] who said these chess cards were specific to Fujian.

Indeed, all recorded games come from southeastern China, and chess cards seem particularly linked to Hokkien speakers.

Could they have appeared after the ban on playing cards in the Great Qing Legal Code of 1740?

Designs may vary; the center of the cards may be printed with decorations, which do not affect gameplay.

In many sets, the red and orange/yellow suit will follow the character conventions used for red Xiangqi pieces, while the white and green/blue suit will follow the character conventions used for black Xiangqi pieces.

The objective of this game is very similar to mahjong, which is to achieve a winning hand consisting of multiple melds, as detailed below.

[3] The remaining cards are collected and placed in a stack at a central location and becomes the Draw Pile.

[3] Inexperienced players and children may be allowed to put their cards face down on the table.

For example, some players could take melds that were created by the initial deal, which they do not plan to touch, and put them in one big facedown stack next to them.

Regardless of the method in which the card is taken, it is moved into the player's display area and remains face-up for the rest of the game.

A card-stealing mechanic can disrupt the normal anti-clockwise sequence of turns: specifically, at any time, any player may steal a card that was just exposed through a draw or discard even if it is not the stealing player's turn, provided certain conditions are met.

Multiple players may have a reason to steal the same card that was just exposed by a draw or discard.

Unlike the General, even if a player holds multiple Jokers, they cannot be combined into larger groups.

It is important to note that cards with identical characters but different colors cannot be used to form two-card melds.

In some rule variants, the Triple Color group is limited to soldiers only (兵 or 卒).

[4] In some rule variants, the Complete Color group is limited to soldiers only (兵 or 卒).