Go-Stop (Standard English Version)
Go-Stop is one of the most popular Korean card games played with Hwatu. It is a game of capture, memory, and decision-making. The basic principle is simple: match cards from the same month, collect cards, form combinations, and choose at the right moment whether to continue or stop. The name "Go-Stop" comes directly from this decision.
The Cards
Hwatu consists of 12 months, with 4 cards for each month.
January (Pine) February (Plum Blossom) March (Cherry Blossoms) April (Wisteria) May (Iris) June (Peony) July (Lespedeza) August (Pampas Grass) September (Chrysanthemum) October (Maple) November (Paulownia) December (Rain)
Preparing the Game
For a first introduction, Go-Stop is ideally played with 3 people.
Each player receives 7 cards.
6 cards are placed face up in the centre of the table.
The remaining cards form the draw pile, placed face down.
How a Turn Works
On your turn, you play one card from your hand onto the table. If there is already a card from the same month on the table, you can form a pair and collect those cards. Then, you turn over one card from the draw pile. If this card matches a month already present on the table, you also collect the matching cards. If it does not match anything, it remains on the table.
Scoring Points
Minimum score required to declare Go or Stop.
2-player game: 5 or 7 points, depending on the rules used.
3-player game: 3 points.
Gwang.
5 Gwang: 15 points.
4 Gwang: 4 points.
3 Gwang, excluding the December Rain Gwang: 3 points.
3 Gwang, including the December Rain Gwang: 2 points.
Gwang-bak: if the winner scores with Gwang cards and a losing player has no Gwang cards, that losing player must pay double.
Yeolkkut.
5 Yeolkkut cards: 1 point.
Each additional Yeolkkut card: +1 point.
Godori, the three bird cards excluding the December bird card: 5 points.
Meongtteongguri Double, 7 Yeolkkut cards: x2.
Tti.
5 Tti cards, regardless of type: 1 point.
Each additional Tti card after 5 cards: +1 point.
Hongdan, 3 red ribbon cards: 3 points.
Cheongdan, 3 blue ribbon cards: 3 points.
Chodan, 3 plain ribbon cards excluding the December ribbon: 3 points.
Pi.
10 Pi cards: 1 point.
Each additional Pi card after 10 cards: +1 point.
Pi-bak: if the winner scores at least 1 point with Pi cards, and a losing player has fewer than 5 Pi cards, that losing player must pay double.
Go or Stop
If you say "Stop", the round ends immediately and you win. If you say "Go", the round continues. You may then win more, but you also take the risk that another player may win before you. This decision is what makes Go-Stop lively and strategic.
To Begin
At first, do not try to memorise everything.
Start by identifying cards from the same month.
Then, gradually observe the Gwang, Tti, Yeolkkut, and Pi cards.
Go-Stop becomes much clearer once you first understand the basic movement of the game: play one card, draw one card, and collect cards from the same month.
To Go Further
Go-Stop also includes special rules, penalties, specific combinations, and several variations depending on families or regions.
To discover more about the meaning of the cards, the rules of Minhwatu, the rules of Go-Stop, and the different combinations, you can find the guide "So, Hwatu" on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMKDX4FH?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_XA03JBSXTST0DEAS5595
To start playing Hwatu, you can also discover the card deck available here.
With the card deck and the guide "So, Hwatu", you will be able to play at home, recognise the cards more easily, and gradually discover the richness of this traditional Korean card game.
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