Tonk, also known as Tunk is a kind of knock rummy game. A standard 52 card deck is used, without jokers. The cards have values as follows: picture cards count 10 points, aces count 1 point and other cards count face value.
The aim is, by drawing and discarding, to form your cards into spreads, which can be books of 3 or 4 equal ranked cards or runs of 3 or more cards in suit, or to dispose of your cards by adding them to existing spreads (Hitting). You win if you manage to get rid of all of your cards, or if you have the lowest value of unmatched cards when someone stops the play.
End of the play
The Game Play can end in 4 ways.
1. Someone gets rid of all their cards without a final discard
This may happen as a result of a player putting down a second spread or hitting existing spreads on three occasions. This is usually called a tonk, or the player is said to "tonk out". The winner is paid a double stake by each other player.
2. Someone runs out of cards by discarding their last card
The player with no cards wins and each of the other players pays the agreed basic stake to the winner. The winner is paid the basic stake by each other player.
3. Someone drops or goes down or knocks at the start of their turn.
In this case everyone exposes the cards that remain in their hands and adds up the values of the cards they held. If the player who dropped has the lowest point count, that player wins and is paid the basic stake by each of the other players. Else, if the player who dropped does not have the lowest count, the player who dropped must pay twice the basic stake to everyone who has an equal or lower count.
4. 49 or 50 points immediately after the deal. The winner is paid a double stake by each other player.