Tonk — also known as Tunk — is the fast American knock rummy that blues and jazz musicians made famous in the 1930s. Build spreads (books and runs), hit spreads already on the table, and get rid of your cards faster than everyone else: tonk out for a double stake, run out for a single, or knock and claim the lowest hand.

Here you can play Tonk online free, straight from the browser: hit Quick Play to join a 3-seat table in seconds, or create a room and share its code with friends. Every hand pays chips exactly like the classic rules — double for a tonk, double for catching a bold knocker — and the first player to win five hands takes the session.

• Completely free — plays in any modern browser, no app needed
• Quick match seats you at a 3-player table in seconds
• Private rooms with invite codes for playing with friends
• Authentic Tonk rules: spreads, hitting, knocking, tonk out at double stakes
• Tables at multiple chip stakes for beginners and pros alike

→ Full Tonk rules · Glossary

Tonk in a nutshell

Two to four players, 52 cards, five cards each. On your turn, knock (claim the lowest hand), or draw a card and then lay down spreads — books of 3-4 equal-ranked cards and runs of 3+ consecutive same-suit cards — and hit any spread on the table. Get rid of every card to tonk out and win a double stake from each player; discard your last card to run out for a single stake. Or knock at the start of your turn: if your hand count really is the lowest, everyone pays you — if not, you are caught and pay double.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are dealt in Tonk?

Five cards to each player from the standard 52-card deck; the next card is turned up to start the discard pile. (Seven-card versions exist, but five-card Tonk is the classic, most widespread game.)

What is a tonk on the deal?

If your dealt hand counts 9 points or fewer — or 49 or more — you declare an immediate tonk: the hand is not played and every opponent pays you a double stake.

When can you knock in Tonk?

At the start of your turn, before drawing, with any hand. You are claiming the lowest point count; if anyone matches or beats you, you are caught and pay double.

What does "tonk out" mean?

Emptying your hand entirely with spreads and hits, with no final discard. It pays a double stake from every other player. Discarding your last card instead only pays a single stake.

What is hitting in Tonk?

Adding a card from your hand to any spread already on the table — yours or an opponent's: the fourth card of a book, or the next card at either end of a run.

What does it mean to get caught?

You knocked but another player's hand count is equal to or lower than yours. You pay a double stake to everyone at or below your count, and the lowest hand also collects a single stake from everyone else.

How much is an ace worth in Tonk?

One point. Aces are low only: A-2-3 is a run, Q-K-A is not.

What happens when the stock runs out?

Play stops and everyone counts their hands. The lowest count collects a single stake from each player; if two players tie for lowest the hand is dead with no payments.

Is this Tonk game really free?

Yes — you can play Tonk online free at tonk.yeeqia.com directly in your browser, no download or sign-up required to try a table. Chips are purely virtual.

Does Tonk work on mobile?

Yes — the site is mobile-first and works in any modern browser on Android or iPhone, with no app required.

© 2026 Yeeqia Games — Tonk Online · Rules · Glossary