Gong Zhu — Push the Pig

You already know most of it

Gong Zhu is a four-player trick-taking game played across China and Taiwan. No trumps, no bidding, no passing — follow the suit that was led if you can, highest card takes the trick. So far, Hearts.

What makes it its own game is that not every point is a penalty. The Jack of Diamonds pays you. The ten of clubs multiplies whatever else you were unlucky enough to collect. And before a single card is played you can turn one of the four special cards face up — which doubles what it is worth to you, and tells the other three players exactly what you are holding.

Sixteen cards out of fifty-two decide the match. The other thirty-six are just how you get rid of them.