Ceki cards

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Ceki (Javanese ꦕꦼꦏꦶ, Balinese ᬘᭂᬓᬶ), Chi Kee/Cherki, or Koa cards are widely used in Indonesia and parts of Malaysia and Singapore.

They were originally derived from Chinese 3-suited money cards (particularly the “Water Margin” type), and over time and distance the imagery on the cards developed into smaller, simpler, and more abstract forms, while retaining the original deck structure.

“Ceki”The spelling Cherki seems to be more common in Malaysia and Singapore. It can also be written Tjeki in older Indonesian orthographies or چکي in Jawi script. The word apparently comes from Amoy (Hokkien) Chinese chít ki (一枝),A (p. 48) “one card”, perhaps referring to the pick-one/play-one nature of the most common Ceki games. A similar origin is suggested by Amaro (1993), who gives jī ki ‘two cards’ (二枝). Gambling Games of Malaya gives the name as 織箕 ‘weave baskets’ (chitki) but I have not found this elsewhere; perhaps it is a phonetic back-formation. Other spellings I have seen include cuki,D (p. 72) cekianE (p. 174) or tyekénF (p. 160) or sikiah,G (p. 679) or chĕki.H (p. 53) probably originally referred only to a game played with the cards; the cards were referred to in Malay as daun ceki (‘ceki cards’).Daun, literally meaning ‘leaf’, is nearly equivalent in usage to the Hokkien , meaning twig or cards, or other long objects. Thus the full expansion of daun ceki is somewhat tautological, meaning “one-card cards”. More modern names used in Indonesia are kartu ceki, kartu cilik (‘small cards’ — European cards are ‘big cards’), kartu cina (‘Chinese cards’), or kartu gonggong (‘Gonggong cards’).

The cards might also have been referred to in the past in Malay as kiyaKija or كياI (p. 96) in older orthographies. or kiya-kiya, meaning ‘fish’. This could refer to the fish symbology which is used on some decks of Chinese origin.

Games that used these type of cards were originally played throughout the Malaysian Archipelago. They are also played amongst members of “reterritorialized” Indonesian Chinese communities within mainland China.J (p. 555)

Although these type of cards are not referred to in Thailand as “ceki” cards, I include them in the discussion below for comparison.

At some point they were also called “8–9 cards”, in Malay pakau-pakau (باكو٢,Perhaps also ڤيكق pékak?K (456) literally ‘8–9s’, which adapts the names of Chinese numerals).L (161) A similar name was also known in Thailand — ไพ่แปดเก้า phai paet kao,M (9) literally “8–9 cards”Note that the name ไพ่งาแปดเก้า phai nga paet kao is also mentioned in the source; this is “8–9 bone cards” where “bone cards” could be a calque of the Chinese 骨牌 which means ‘dominos’ or sometimes ‘playing cards’. — so it might be a Hokkien/Teochew name that eventually disappeared.Is there any remote connection to Oicho Kabu here?

Countries where Ceki cards are used.

© George Pollard, 🅭🅯🄏🄎

Malaysia & Singapore

The use of Cherki cards in Malaysia & Singapore was introduced by Peranakan (Baba–Nyonya) communities. Much of the terminology and card naming derives from Hokkien, and the cards used are closer to their ancestral forms than those used in Indonesia.

An exhibition game using Cherki cards being played in Penang, Malaysia.

© Shutterstock.com/Fiqah Anugerah Dah Besa : 1293448237

In the past the game was played by all levels of society; records of the palace expenditure of the Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim of Kedah (1864–1943) from 1896–99 indicate that he enjoyed gambling with Ceki.N (p. 58)

More recent accounts from Malaysia & Singapore indicate that the game was almost exclusively played by women, and in modern times it has nearly died out. The Babas reported that by the 1980s it was only possible to get cards in Melaka. However, there are ongoing efforts to preserve and repopularize the game.

Amongst Kristang (or Christão) communities in Malacca, the cards were known as chaqui or chiqui.B (p. 34)

Indonesia

In Indonesia, Ceki games are still popular, especially in Sumatra, Java, and Bali, all of which have historically had a large Chinese influence. In Javanese the cards are also known as kertu cilik (‘small cards’).G (p. 365)

During the colonial era, cards were manufactured in Europe by Dutch companies and exported to Indonesia. (See the manufacturers section below.) Ceki cards were also prohibited from being imported (from European manufacturers) into some areas, such as Sulawesi, “for reasons of public safety”.P (p. 1013)

Javanese card players, by Jean Demmeni (1866–1939). There are three players playing a fishing game, perhaps Pèi; there are probably too many cards in the centre for it to be Thothit.

🅮

In Bali, the game is widely played and has “a large if not fanatical following”,Q (170) despite gambling being illegal. Cards are readily available at many roadside convenience stores.

Men in traditional dress seated around a cloth mat upon which are placed ceki cards and bundles of money.Men in traditional dress seated around a cloth mat upon which are placed ceki cards and bundles of money.

Balinese men playing a gambling game.

© 2016 Adam Cohn, 🅭🅯🄏⊜

The game is particularly popular amongst the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra, as the Dutch card-making company Handelsvereniging Harmsen Verweij & Dunlop N.V. had a factoryThis building was later to become the Hotel Ambacang, which was destroyed in the 2009 Sumatran earthquakes. The company also had offices in Java & Sulawesi (previously known as Celebes). in the city of Padang.

In the Minang language, they game and cards are called Koa (sometimes spelt Kuwa or Kowah, كوا in old Malay orthography).R (p. 542) The Minangkabau go so far as to say “kalau ga bisa main KOA berarti bukan orang Minang”: “if you can’t play Koa, it’s means you’re not a Minang”.S In Buginese and Makassarese, both spoken in South Sulawesi, the game is also called kowa (ᨀᨚᨓ in Lontara script),T (p. 63)U (p. 46) after a term which is used in the game.

These terms might come from a Chinese language term for the number nine, which is how many cards the players need to complete their hand in the most common form of the game in these areas.

The game has also been carried to Suriname by Javanese emigrants. This image shows it being played at the time of the visit of Queen Juliana and Prince Bernhard in 1955. The game being played here seems to be one that has “rooster” (jago) bets.

1955 Nationaal Archief, 🅮

The Deck

The cards run 1–9 in three suits, and there are three ‘honour cards’, giving 30 different cards. Each deck, or kepala (literally ‘head’, Javanese ꦏꦥꦭ kapala), contains two copies of each card, giving 60 total. In Banyuwangi, Java it is called a ꦫꦚ꧀ꦕꦏ꧀ rancak ‘piece of wood’ or ‘set of instruments’.V (p. 74) In Thai a deck is called a สํารับ sam­rap (literally ‘condiment tray’). Many Ceki games require multiple kepala to play, often two sets (giving 120 cards).

The three suits have various names.W (p. 119) ‘Coins’, ‘strings’, and ‘myriads’ are the terms I use for consistency across different types of money-suited cards.

Names for Coins

  • hitam (‘black’), batik, piah (from Hokkien ‘round thing’), or tong (from Hokkien ‘barrel’);

  • in Thai, ผัก phak ‘vegetable’.

Names for Strings

  • manek (‘bead’), sok (from Hokkien ‘rope’), or tiau (from Hokkien ‘long/thin object’);

  • in Java, lintrik (ꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ ‘rows’?);X

  • in Thai, นก nok ‘birds’.M (28)

Names for Myriads (Numbers)

  • ban (from Hokkien bān 萬/万 ‘myriad’), or cina (‘Chinese’);

  • in Java, wong (ꦮꦺꦴꦁ ‘people’);X

  • in Thai, คน khon ‘people’.

Cards from a modern Balinese Ceki deck.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Coins

Strings

Myriads

Card Names

For each card in the table below I show (in left-to-right order):

  1. a card from a 19th-century deck collected in The manners and customs of the Chinese of the straits settlements,

  2. a card from a different 19th-century deck from Young (1886, p. 300) (as reproduced in Javaanse Kaartspelen [Javanese Card Games]),

  3. a card from a deck produced by Harmsen Verweij & Dunlop (after 1933), a Dutch company,The cards as depicted in Een blik in het Javaansche volksleven [A glimpse into Javanese folk life] (pl. XVI) are identical to these.

  4. a 1940s deck collected in Javaanse Kaartspelen [Javanese Card Games],

  5. and then a modern card from a deck purchased in Bali in 2019 (clearly derived from #3).

Modern Malaysian & Singaporean decks (of which I have no samplesYet! Can you help with this? Contact me!) are closer in style to the #1 deck.

Each card in the deck has its own name as listed in the table below. The translations in the table are mostly from the SEAlang dictionaries; any mistakes are my own.According to some sources, the word “cina” referring to a Chinese person is now considered a potentially derogatory term. For example, the Indonesian government no longer uses it in official communications, since the term was dropped from official usage by presidential decree in 2014.AB In Malaysia/Singapore the names are based on the Hokkien names of the cards — a combination of suit and rank — but as we move in a south-easterly direction along the Malay Archipelago (the table below is listed roughly in this order), the names diverge further and further from this original source, and most cards have nicknames that are based upon their appearance rather than their numeric value.

The names in the Makassar column have been assigned based upon comparisons with the other names given; the source — being a dictionary — does not show which card maps to which name. I have not been able to figure out a satisfactory assignment for the following names: ᨁᨚᨌᨗ goncingT (p. 76) ‘scissors’; ᨁᨑᨗᨁᨗ garigiT (p. 79) [?]; ᨄᨄ pampangT (p. 98) ‘across’; ᨄᨚᨄᨚᨀ popokangT (p. 99) ‘sorceress’;Not just any sorceress, but one that sends out her head and entrails at night, leaving her body behind! In Minangkabau this is called a ‘Palasik Panangga’, or a ‘Penanggalan’ in Malay. For more information, see [AC]. ᨄᨙᨔᨚ pesoT (p. 140) ‘lame’; ᨅᨘᨀᨘ bukuT (p. 148) ‘bone’; ᨅᨚᨈᨘᨓᨒ bontuwalaT (p. 173) Bontoala, a place near Makassar, also the name of a type of large kris; ᨅᨓᨗ bawiT (p. 221) ‘pig’; ᨆᨉᨘᨑ manduraT (p. 249) [?]; ᨌᨄᨗ capiT (p. 385) ‘deformed’, also ‘cow’; ᨍᨘᨀᨘᨕᨙᨍ juku-éjaT (p. 402) ‘red fish’; ᨍᨚᨅᨚ jobongT (p. 408) [?]; ᨑᨚᨅᨙ rombéngT (p. 444) ‘long hair’; ᨔᨄᨗ sapiT (p. 554) ‘cow’; ᨔᨗᨄᨗ sipiT (p. 557) ‘pinch’.

⚠️ The table is very wide and might scroll horizontally.

Thailand

Malaysia/Singapore

Sumatra

Java

Bali

Lombok

Borneo

Sulawesi

Maluku

Timor

Cards

(1967)M

General

Older (Malay)
(1894)AD (334)

Malacca (Kristang)
(1972)B

Malacca (Kristang)
(2012)AE

Padang
(2013)AF

[unstated]
(1876)AG

Pekalongan
(1941)V

Magelang
(1941)V

Yogyakarta
(1941)V

Surakarta
(1941)V

[Surabaya?]
(1914)X

Banyuwangi
(1941)V

[Badung?]
(2012)AH

Badung
(1941)V

Gianyar
(1941)V

Klungkung
(1941)V

Karangasem
(1941)V

Buleleng
(1941)V

Singaraja
(1941)V

Lombok
(2016)AI

Lombok
(1941)V

Banjarmasin
(1941)V

Makassar
(1859)T

Manado
(1876)AJ

Ambon
(1876)AJ

Timor
(1876)AJ

Honours & Rank 1

เอี่ยว iao, from Hokkien/Teochew io/iao¹, ‘ace’

yu or yeo, from Hokkien/Teochew

iu (modern ayu)
ايو
from Hokkien/Teochew

cartas fortes
‘strong cards’, for the first three

yoh
(Hokkien io)

hiu/iyu ‘shark’, looks like a fin

hio

ᨈᨕᨘ
tau
human

Old Thousand

เอี่ยวพญา
iao phaya
king ace

เอี่ยวแดงพญา
iao daeng phaya
red king ace

เอี่ยวโต้ง
iao tong
large ace

yu lau chian, from Hokkien 老千 ‘old thousand’
or yu pinding

iu mêrah bĕsar
ايو ميره بسر
large red/king ace

yo sekarat, yo mitadi
candlenut, one half

obu
egg

danau rezeki, hiu/babak
[chapter?] shark

ꦫꦗ
raja
king

iyo ratu
king ace

iyo ratu
king ace

iyo ratu
king ace

iyo ratu
king ace

besar
large

besar
large

ᬭᬚ
raja
king

ᬭᬚ
raja
king

ᬭᬚ
(oong) raja

ᬭᬚ
(oong) raja

ᬓᭀᬩᬃ
kobar
burning

ᬓᭀᬩᬃ
kobar (oong besar KBW)

ᬓᭀᬩᬃ
kobar
burning

ᬓᭀᬩᬃ
kobar
burning

ᬓᭀᬩᬃ
kobar
burning

abang/raja basar
red/big king

ᨒᨚᨌᨗᨐ
lociyangT (p. 508)
from Hokkien

laucan, lokjan
from Hokkien

meirah lokjan
red lokjan

meirah besar
big red

White Flower

เอี่ยวชี
iao chi
nun ace

yu kuching
cat ace

iu kûching
ايو كوچيڠ
cat ace

yo feme
one woman

femi/fula
woman/vagina

hiu kuciang
cat shark

ꦏꦸꦕꦶꦁ
kucing
cat

kucing
cat

kucing
cat

kucing
cat

(iyo) kucing
cat ace

curut
rat

kucing
cat

kucing
cat

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘᭂᬧᬾ
cepé

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘᬓ᭄ᬭ
cakra
chakra

ᬘ᭄ᬧᬾ
cpé
?

ᬋᬋᬧᬾ
rerepé

kucing

kukis

parampuwan
woman

kucing

Red Flower

เอี่ยวแดงนาง
iao daeng nang
red lady ace

เอี่ยวนาง
iao nang
lady ace

yu nyonya
(娘仔?) ace

iu mêrah s’krat
ايو ميره سكرة
partly red ace

yo fogu
one fire

sekeras
candlenut

hiu merah
red shark

or penci
[a hat?]

ꦏꦼꦚ꧀ꦕꦶ
kêñci
[unknown]

kenci

kenci

kenci

kinci, pinci, iyo kenci

cinci
[unknown]

pinci

ᬓᭂᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kenci

ᬓᬸᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kunci
keys?

ᬓᭀᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
konci

ᬓᭀᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
konci

ᬓᭀᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
konci

ᬓᬶᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kinci (kenci KBW)

ᬓᬾᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kènci

ᬓᬶᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kinci

ᬓᬾᬜ᭄ᬘᬶ
kènci

pinci

kapala

meirah kapala

meirah prik

1 Coins

เอี่ยวเกือก
iao kueak
shoe ace

เอี่ยวรอง
iao rong
secondary ace

yu kasut
slipper ace (looks like a Nyonya slipper)

iu kâsut
ايو كاسة
slipper ace

sapatu
shoe

sapatu
shoe

hiu kasuik
[unknown] shark

ꦏꦱꦸꦠ꧀
kasut
slipper

kasut
slipper

kasut
slipper

kasut
slipper

(iyo) kasut
slipper

kesut
[var: kasut?]

kisut
wrinkled

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

ᬮᬶᬓᬲ᭄
likas
reel

kasut/butuh [women]; bedor [men]

ᨈᨗᨀᨑ
tikaraT (p. 276)

tikar
plaited mat

tikar
plaited mat

kaso
[Saccharum spontaneum? mats are woven from this]

1 Strings

เอี่ยวยาว
iao yao
long ace

เอี่ยวเข็ม
iao khem
needle ace

yu panjang or yu burung
long or bird ace
(In Indonesian, bird is also slang for penis.)AK (p. 62)

iu pli
ايو ڤلي
? ace

pau
club

pau
club

hiu panjang
long shark

ꦧꦼꦢꦺꦴꦂ
bêdor

(iyo) bedor

(iyo) bedor

(iyo) bedor

(iyo) bedor

sotur
[probably round-tipped lance]

bedhul
pulled out, uprooted

sodor
round-tipped lance

ᬮᭀᬓᭀᬃ
lojor
long

ᬮᭀᬓᭀᬃ
lojor
long

ᬮᭀᬓᭀᬃ
lojor
long

ᬮᭀᬓᭀᬃ
lojor
long

ᬮᭀᬓᭀᬃ
lojor
long

ᬲ᭄ᬮᭀᬤᭀᬃ
slodor
[probably round-tipped lance]

ᬲᭂᬮᭀᬤᭀᬃ
selodor
[probably round-tipped lance]

ᬲᭂᬮᭀᬤᭀᬃ
selodor
[probably round-tipped lance]

ᬮᭀᬚᭀᬃ
(lojor?)

panjang
long

ᨒᨅᨘᨔᨘ
lambusuT (p. 496)
straight

panjang
long

panjang
long

panjang
long

1 Myriads

เอี่ยวหนู
iao nu
mouse ace
(the symbol looks like a mouse’s tail)

yu hue sio
from Hokkien ‘monk’ 和尚

iu lîchin
ايو ليچين
smooth/bare ace (probably referring to the bald head)

China/ladrán
China/thief

China
China

hiu bungo
flower shark

ꦥꦼꦠꦶꦏ꧀
pêtik

beset
peeled [bald?]

gundhul
bald

pletik
spark

(iyo) gundhul
bald

petik
[spark?]

(iyo) gundhul
bald

petik
[spark?]

p’té
[unknown]

putri
woman or princess

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina
China

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

ᬘᬶᬦ
cina

nyonyah

ᨌᨗᨊ
cinaT (p. 391)
China

cina

cina

cina

Rank 2

สอง
song
two

ji
(Hokkien jī)

lĕkok
لكوق
notched

gee
(Hokkien jī)

bengkok ‘crooked’

2 Coins

สองตา
song ta
eyes two

สองตาโต
song ta to
shocked two

ji hitam or ji bulat
black or round two

lĕkok lâmah
لكوق لامه
? notched

bola
ball

bola
ball

bengkok itam/wajik
black/diamond crooked

ꦥ꧀ꦭꦺꦴꦩ꧀ꦥꦺꦴꦁ
plompong
gaping mouth

pelong
wide open

plompong
gaping mouth

loro plompong
gaping two

plontho
prostitute

loro plompong
gaping two

plontho
prostitute

dhimpil tolu
chipped [fifth week of Javanese calendar?]

komplong
to gape

ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
bug dua
[two dried betel nuts?]

ᬚᭂᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
jebug dua

ᬚᭂᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
jebug dua

ᬧᭀᬗ᭄ᬕᬂ
ponggang
hole

ᬚᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
jabog dua

ᬧᭀᬗ᭄ᬕᬂ
ponggang
hole

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
gobog dua (omplong KBW)

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
gobog dua

ᬚᭂᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
jebug dua

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬤᬸᬯ
gobog dua

tambur dua
two drums

palumpung
[?]

ᨄᨗᨌᨗᨉᨘᨓ
picing duwaT (p. 113)
two coins

duwa mata

duwa mata

batik

2 Strings

สององคต
song (ongkot?)
two Angada (a legendary monkey with an immovable leg)

ji burung
bird two

lĕkok lêrek
لكوق ليرق
notched borer?

beechu
worm

bicu, geli-geli
caterpillar, worm

bengkok gadang
big crooked

ꦢꦺꦁꦏꦺꦏ꧀
déngkék

dengkek

dengkek

(loro) dengkek

(loro) dengkek

cekok
neck-hollow

dengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek
having a bent back

ᬲᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
sengkek

ᬲᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
sengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek (dengkel, dengkol)

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek

ᬤᭂᬗ᭄ᬓᭂᬓ᭄
dengkek

téngkong

bèngkok

bongkok

bongko

2 Myriads

สองคน
song khon
two people

ji ban

lĕkok cîna
لكوق چين
notched Chinese

noiba
bride

noiba
bride

bengkok aluih
genteel crooked

ꦝꦶꦩ꧀ꦥꦶꦭ꧀ꦕꦶꦤ
dhimpil cina
chipped Chinese

munthil
small tight knot, Javanese hairstyle

dhimpil
chipped

loro cina
China two

loro dhimpil
chipped two

loro cina
China two

loro dhimpil
chipped two

dhimpil wong
chipped person

wong bendhol
person with a bump

ᬧᭂᬮᬶᬓ᭄
pelik
[?]

ᬧ᭄ᬮᬶᬓ᭄
plik

ᬧ᭄ᬮᬶᬓ᭄
plik

ᬘᭂᬮᬶᬓ᭄
celik

ᬧ᭄ᬮᬶᬓ᭄
plik

ᬓᭀᬮᭀ
kolo (gobog, ketonglang KBW)

ᬓᭀᬮᭀ
kolo

ᬓᭀᬮᭀ
kolo

ᬓᭀᬮᭀ
kolo

miring
angled

ᨀᨚᨉᨙ
kondéT (p. 27)
Chinese bun hairstyle

miring
angled

miring
angled

miring
angled

Rank 3

สาม
sam
three

sa
(Hokkien saⁿ)

sêrong
سيروڠ
askew

sar
(Hokkien saⁿ)

jarum ‘needle’

3 Coins

สามตา
sam ta
three eyes

สามตาโต
sam ta to
three big eyes

sa batik
batik three

sêrong wâjik
سيروڠ واجيق
askew diamond

crossan
heart, or brooch of Cabaia-wood

batik
batik

jarum wajik/itam
diamond/black needle

ꦮꦗꦶꦏ꧀
wajik
diamond

wajik
diamond

plenthi

pithi

(telu) plenthi

tambur cilik
small drum

telu pithi

(telu) plenthi

tambur cilik
small drum

telu pithi

cerut
[constricted?]

jarum
needle

gebles/gobog cilik/curut

ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
bug telu
[three dried betel nuts?]

ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
bug telu

ᬚ᭄ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
jbug telu

ᬚᭂᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
jabog telu

ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
bug telu

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
gobog telu

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
gobog telu

ᬚᭂᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ
jebug telu

(ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬢᭂᬮᬸ)
(gobog telu?)

tambur tiga
three drums

tiga mata

tiga mata

kukis

3 Strings

สามนก
sam nok
three birds

สามนกเตี้ย
sam nok tia
three short birds

sa udang
shrimp three

sêrong gûnong
سيروڠ ݢونڠ
askew mountain

kambrang
shrimp

kambrang, kotek, cucuk
shrimp, penis, thorn

jarum gadang
big needle

ꦒꦹꦤꦸꦁ
gunung
mountain

gunung
mountain

gunung
mountain

(telu) gunung
mountain (three)

(telu) gunung
mountain (three)

gunung
mountain

gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

ᬕᬸᬦᬸᬂ
gunung
mountain

(jarum) gunung
(needle) mountain

udang
shrimp

udang
shrimp

udang
shrimp

3 Myriads

สามคน
sam khon
three people

sa ban

sêrong jârum
سيروڠ جارم
askew needle

chuchō
prick (Malay cucok)

agula
needle

agula
needle

jarum aluih
genteel needle

ꦗꦫꦸꦩ꧀
jarum
needle

telu cina, cingik

telu cina, jarum

singit, jarum

telu cina, jarum, gudhul

jarum wong
needle person

wong cungit, wong curut

ᬘᬮᬶᬂ
caling

ᬘᬮᬶᬂ
caling

ᬘᬸᬲ᭄
cus

ᬘᬸᬲ᭄
cus

ᬘᬸᬲ᭄
cues

ᬚᬭᬸᬫ᭄
jarum
needle

ᬚᬭᬸᬫ᭄
jarum
needle

ᬚᬭᬸᬫ᭄
jarum
needle

ᬚᬭᬸᬫ᭄
jarum
needle

jarum (alus)
needle

ᨍᨑᨘ
jarungT (p. 416)
nail

jarum
needle

jarum
needle

jarum
needle

Rank 4

kĕpâla bûlat
كڤلا بولة
round head

see
(Hokkien sì)

suduang ‘spoon’(?)

4 Coins

สี่มะเขือ
si makhuea
four eggplants

si hitam
black four

kĕpâla bûlat gĕrôbok
كڤلا بولة ݢروبق
round head crockery chest

manuco/rã
frog

kodok
frog

suduang itam/wajik
black/diamond spoon

ꦠꦩ꧀ꦧꦸꦂ
tambur
drum

tambur
drum

tambur
drum

tambur gedhé
big drum

papat tambur
four drum

tambur gedhé
big drum

gobok
coin

gebles/gobod gedhé

ᬩᭂᬮᬄ
belah
split

ᬩᬸᬕ᭄ᬕᭂᬤᬾ
bug gedé
big betel nut?

ᬩᭂᬮᬄ
(jebug) belah
split [betel nut?]

ᬚᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬧᬶᬬᬕ᭄
jabog piag

ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
besar

ᬩᭂᬮᬄ
belah (gobog besar)

ᬩᭂᬮᬄ
belah

ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
besar

ᬕᭀᬩᭀᬕ᭄ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
gobog besar

tambur (satu)

as

tambur

ekor

4 Strings

สี่นม
si nom
four breasts

สี่นมยาน
si nom yan
four hanging breasts

si putih
white four

kĕpâla bûlat sûngkap
كڤلا بولة سوڠكڤ
round head loose hair

basio
plate

basiu
plate

pinggang
waist

ꦕꦮꦁ
cawang
forked

gapet

cawang
forked

pat pedhot
interrupted four

(pat) cawang
forked (four)

(pat) cawang
forked (four)

cawang
forked

cawang
forked

ᬲᬗ᭄ᬓᬧ᭄
sangkap
[unknown]

ᬲᬗ᭄ᬓᬧ᭄
sangkap

ᬲᬗ᭄ᬓᬧ᭄
sangkap (bebed)

ᬲᬗ᭄ᬓᬧ᭄
sangkap

ᬲᬗ᭄ᬓᬧ᭄
sangkap

ᬘᬯᬂ
cawang

ᬘᬯᬂ
cawang

ᬘᬯᬂ
cawang

ᬘᬯᬂ
cawang

pinggang
waist

putus
cut

putus pinggang

pinggang
waist

4 Myriads

สี่คน
si khon
four people

si ban

kĕpâla bûlat sundul
كڤلا بولة سوندل
round head ?

ryiami/curto
short

nyami
yam

suduang putiah
white spoon

ꦕꦶꦤ
cina
China/Chinese

bodong
protruding (navel)

pat cina
Chinese four

bodong
protruding (navel)

papat cina
Chinese four

kondhé, nyonyah

sundhul
to reach or touch up high

wong sundhul
person reach or touch up high

ᬫᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬸᬢ᭄
mendut
steamed rice flour balls

ᬕᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᭀᬢ᭄
gendot

ᬓ᭄ᬩᭀᬂ
kbong

ᬓᭀᬩᭀᬂ
kobong

ᬓᭀᬩᭀᬂ
kobong

ᬓᭀᬩᭀᬂ
kobong (kebong)

ᬓᭀᬩᭀᬂ
kobong

ᬘᭂᬍᬓ᭄
celek

ᬘᭂᬍᬓ᭄
celek

pajung

kondei

kondei

kondei

Rank 5

ห้า
ha
five

go
(Hokkien gō͘)

mâta dûa
ماة دوا
two eyes

goh
(Hokkien gō͘)

babi ‘pig’ (looks like nostrils)

5 Coins

ห้าแตงโม
ha taengmo
five watermelons

go pending
pending five

mâta dûa kĕlôning
ماة دوا كلونيڠ
? two eyes

panding
sarong-fastener

pending
sarong-fastener

babi pusek
navel pig

ꦧꦧꦶꦏꦟ꧀ꦛꦺꦴꦁ (modern ꦏꦤ꧀ꦛꦺꦴꦁ)
babi kaṇthong (kanthong)
pig bag

kanthong
bag

kanthong
bag

(lima) kanthong
bag (five)

lumpang
mortar

(lima) kanthong
bag (five)

lumpang
mortar

cupa
[unknown]

pau

wudel
navel

bodong
protruding (navel)

ᬧ᭄ᬭᬳᬸ
prau
boat

ᬧᬳᬸ
pau

ᬧᬳᬸ
pau

(ᬧᬳᬸ)
pau[?]

(ᬧᬳᬸ)
pau[?]

ᬧᬳᬸ
pau

ᬧᬳᬸ
pau

perahu

ᬧᬳᬸ
pau

klonéng

ᨄᨚᨌᨗ
pociT (p. 114)
navel

prahu

pusat
navel

pusat
navel

5 Strings

ห้านก
ha nok
five birds

go burung
bird five

mâta dûa lêrek
ماة دوا ليرق
? two eyes

baker
cow

baka
cow

babi gadang
big pig

ꦧꦧꦶꦭꦶꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ꧀
babi lintrik

lima kleja

lima lintrik, kecuk

tholo

lima linktrik, pecuk

babi lintrik
pig [unknown]

cucuk babi
thorn ping

ᬫᬢᭂᬕᭂᬤᬾ
mate gedé
big eye

ᬲᬸᬫ᭄ᬧᬸᬮ᭄
sumpul

ᬧᬮᬸ
palu

?

ᬕᭀᬕᭀᬲ᭄
gogos

ᬕᭀᬕᭀᬲ᭄
gogos

ᬕᭀᬕᭀᬲ᭄
gogos

gogoas

ᬕᭀᬕᭀᬲ᭄
gogos

pantat

ᨁᨚᨁᨚᨔᨚ
gogosoT (p. 69)
a dish of sticky rice cooked in bamboo leaves

têroes

têroes

kio putih

5 Myriads

ห้าคน
ha khon
five people

go ban

mâta dûa cîna
ماة دوا چين
Chinese two eyes

governu/goberno
governor

europeano
european

ropianu
european

babi aluih
genteel pig

ꦧꦧꦶꦕꦶꦤ
babi cina
pig China

gombal
rag

lima cina
China five

babi
pig

lima cina, babi
China five, pig

babi wong
pig person

wong babi
person pig

ᬩᭀᬗ᭄ᬓᬃ
bongkar
[unload: forklift?]

ᬩᭀᬗ᭄ᬓᬃ
bongkar

ᬩᭀᬗ᭄ᬓᬃ
bongkar

ᬧᬂᬧᬂ
pangpang

ᬘᬗ᭄ᬕᬄ
canggah

ᬧᭀᬮᬓ᭄
polak

ᬧᭀᬮᬓ᭄
polak

ᬧᭀᬮᬓ᭄
polak

ᬧᭀᬮᬓ᭄
polak

babi

babi (pai tuwa)

babi (pai tuwa)

babi (pai tuwa)

Rank 6

หก
hok
six

lak
(Hokkien la̍k)

lak
لق
(from Hokkien)

lak
(Hokkien la̍k)

kapik ‘grill’

6 Coins

หกตา
hok ta
six eyes

lak hitam
black six

lak kroh
لق كروه
? six

gordo
fat

godra
fat

kapik anam
grilled six

ꦏꦼꦫꦺꦴꦏ꧀ꦒ꦳ꦥꦶꦠ꧀
kêrok ghapit
curry-comb tongs

kerok
curry-comb

kerok
curry-comb

(nem) kerok

(nem) kerok

mendhung
dark rain cloud

kerok
curry-comb

ᬦ᭄ᬬᭂᬫ᭄
nyem
[pun on six?]

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬦᭂᬫ᭄
pis nem
six coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬦᭂᬫ᭄
pis nem
six coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬦᭂᬫ᭄
pis nem
six coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬦᭂᬫ᭄
pis nem
six coins

ᬢᬶᬫᬦᭂᬫ᭄
tima nem (pipis nem)
six coins

ᬢᬶᬫᬦᭂᬫ᭄
tima nem (pipis nem)
six coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬦᭂᬫ᭄
pis nem
six coins

ᬢᬶᬫᬦᭂᬫ᭄
tima nem (pipis nem)
six coins

kerok

ᨕᨊ
anangT (p. 653)
six

anam mata

anam kaladi

tarasi

6 Strings

หกละเอียด
hok laiat
delicate six

หกเซาะ
hok so
chiselled six

lak putih
white six

lak tâli
لق تالي
rope six

gala
bamboo

gala
bamboo

kapik manih
grilled sweet

ꦏ꧀ꦭꦺꦗꦒ꦳ꦥꦶꦠ꧀
kléja ghapit

kléja

kléja

(nem) kléja, bagus

(nem) kléja, bagus

candra
[moon/month?]

tanem
[high register: to plant?]

mer
[unknown]

mer

ᬓᬼᬦ᭄ᬢᬾᬂ
klenténg
Chinese temple (onomatopœic: bells)AK (p. 160)

ᬧᭂᬗ᭄ᬓ
pengka

mer

mer

mer

mer

mer

bambu
bamboo

bêlah buluh
wide stripes

tarabei

bambu
bamboo

bambu
bamboo

6 Myriads

หกคน
hok khon
six people

lak ban

lak chantek
لق چنتيق
beautiful six

osu
bone

osu
bone

kapik aluih
grilled genteel

ꦕꦶꦤꦒ꦳ꦥꦶꦠ꧀
cina ghapit
Chinese tongs

nem cina
China six

nem cina
China six

siyong bombyok

nem cina
China six

gabit
[probably tongs]

wong gapit
tongs person

ᬓᬼᬦ᭄ᬢᬾᬂ
klenténg
Chinese temple

ᬍᬢᬾᬂ
leteng

ᬩᬸᬭᬢ᭄
burat
makeup

ᬩᬸᬭᬢ᭄
burat
makeup

ᬩᬸᬳᬢ᭄
buat
[makeup?]

ᬫᭂᬕᬢ᭄
megat (gapit)

ᬫᭂᬕᬢ᭄
megat

ᬫᭂᬕᬢ᭄
megat

ᬫᭂᬕᬢ᭄
megat

rumah
building [temple?]

ᨅᨒ
balaT (p. 200)
house [see bottom of card]

lakban

lakban

lakban

Rank 7

เจ็ด
chet
seven

jit
(Hokkien chhit)

chit
چية
(from Hokkien)

chit
(Hokkien chhit)

sisiak ‘scales’

7 Coins

เจ็ดพัด
chet phat
seven fans

jit hitam or jit daun
black or leaf seven

chit sûngkai
چية سوڠكي
Peronema canescens (a leafy plant) seven

lóia
flag

layar
sail

sisiak bendera
flag scales

ꦫꦺꦪꦧ꧀ꦭꦪꦂ
réyab layar
sweep hair, sail

geper

sember, pitu kera

sember

(pitu) kera, keder

layar
sail

layar
sail

ᬧᬓᬸ
paku
[fern or nail?]

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬢᬸ
pis tu

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬢᬸ
pis tu

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬧᬶᬢᬸ
pipis pitu
seven coins

ᬩᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬾᬭ
bendéra
flag

ᬩᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬾᬭ
bendéra (layar)
flag (sail)

ᬩᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬾᬭ
bendéra (layar)
flag (sail)

ᬩᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬾᬭ
bendera
flag

ᬩᭂᬦ᭄ᬤᬾᬭ
bendéra (bendéra layar)
flag

layar

ᨅᨉᨙᨑ
bandéraT (p. 175)
flag

bandéra

bulu ayam

bandéra

7 Strings

เจ็ดนก
chet nok
seven birds

jit burung
bird seven

chit halus
چية هالس
fine seven

galinha
chicken

galinha
chicken

sisiak gadang
big scales

ꦫꦺꦪꦧ꧀ꦭꦶꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ꧀
réyab lintrik

lintrik

pitu kecuk

pitu lintrik, pecuk pitu

pitu lintrik, pecuk pitu

réyab lintrik
[unknown]

cucuk kereg

ᬭᬶᬂᬬᬶᬂ
ringying
[unknown]

merenying

ᬭᬶᬜᬶᬂ
rinying

ᬭᬶᬜᬶᬂ
rinying

ᬘᬸᬭᬶᬂ
curing
an instrument or bird-like decoration

ᬘᬸᬭᬶᬂ
curing
an instrument or bird-like decoration

ᬘᬸᬭᬶᬂ
curing
an instrument or bird-like decoration

ᬘᬸᬭᬶᬂ
curing
an instrument or bird-like decoration

ᬘᬸᬭᬶᬂ
curing
an instrument or bird-like decoration

bulu

galéma

gohu

josef

7 Myriads

เจ็ดคน
chet khon
seven people

jit ban

chit kâsar
چية كاسر
coarse seven

malayu
malay

malayu
malay

sisiak aluih
genteel scales

ꦫꦺꦪꦧ꧀ꦕꦶꦤ
réyab cina

pitu cina
China seven

pitu cina
China seven

pitu cina
China seven

pitu cina
China seven

reab wong
[unknown]

wong kereg

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit (bagus)
(fine) serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit
serrated

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit

ᬭᬶᬗ᭄ᬕᬶᬢ᭄
ringgit

sisir
comb

ringgit

sisir
comb

sisir
comb

Rank 8

แปด
paet
eight

puek
(Hokkien poeh)

mâta sâtu
ماة ساتو
one eye

sepet
‘half-closed (eyes)’

pacah ‘broken’

8 Coins

แปดตา
paet ta
eight eyes

puek kerang
cockle eight

mâta sâtu plong
ماة ساتو ڤلوڠ
? one eye

brau
ship

prau
ship

pacah lapan
broken eight

ꦊꦏꦺꦴꦏ꧀ꦥꦶꦕꦶꦱ꧀
lêkok picis

wolu kerok

picis, wolu kerok

(wolu) picis, (wolu) wang

(wolu) picis, (wolu) wang

lekok pecis
dented [peci or coin?]

picis, buthak, buthak tai

ᬲᭂᬓᬸᬢᬸᬲ᭄
sekutus
[adj:eight?]

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬢᬸᬲ᭄
pis tus
eight coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬢᬸᬲ᭄
pis tus
eight coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬓᬸᬢᬸᬲ᭄
pipis kutus
eight coins

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬢᬸᬲ᭄
pis tus
eight coins

ᬢᬶᬫᬓᬸᬢᬸᬲ᭄
tima kutus

ᬢᬶᬫᬓᬸᬢᬸᬲ᭄
tima kutus

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬳᬸᬮᬸ
pis ulu
eight coins

(tima kutus?)

dalapan
eight

ᨔᨁᨈᨘᨍᨘ
sagantujuT (p. 551)
eight

delapan mata

delapan kaladi

delapan

8 Strings

แปดละเอียด
paet laiat
delicate eight

แปดเซาะ
paet so
chiselled eight

puek menak
noble eight
(Menak is a title for an aristocrat.)

mâta sâtu bengkok
ماة ساتو بڠكوق
crooked one eye

baji/dosi
sweet

manis/dosi
sweet

pacah manih
broken sweet

ꦊꦏꦺꦴꦏ꧀ꦭꦶꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ꧀
lêkok lintrik

wolu manis

wolu lintrik, manis

manis

wolu lintrik/pecuk/manis

lekok lintrik
dented [unknown]

cucuk buthak/manis

ᬳᬸᬮᬸ
ulu
eight/upstream

ᬫᬤᬾ
madé
a ‘four-fold cord’AL

ᬳᬸᬮᬸ
ulu

ᬳᬸᬮᬸ
ulu

ᬫᬦᬶᬲ᭄
manis
sweet

ᬫᬦᬶᬲ᭄
manis

ᬫᬦᬶᬲ᭄
manis

ᬫᬦᬶᬲ᭄
manis

ᬫᬦᬶᬲ᭄
manis

manis

manis

manis

cinta

8 Myriads

แปดคน
paet khon
eight people

puek ban

mâta sâtu kĕrbau
ماة ساتو كربو
buffalo one eye

belu
old

belu
old

pacah aluih
broken genteel

ꦊꦏꦺꦴꦏ꧀ꦕꦶꦤ
lêkok cina

budheg
[deaf/stupid?]

wolu cina
China eight

budheg
[deaf/stupid?]

wolu cina
China eight

lekok wong
dented person

wong buthak

ᬫᬦᬓ᭄
manak
to have a child

ᬫᬦᬓ᭄
manak
to have a child

ᬫᬦᬓ᭄
manak
to have a child

ᬘᭂᬍᬓ᭄
celek

ᬍᬧᭀᬓ᭄
lepok

ᬓᬼᬧᭀᬓ᭄
klepok

ᬓᬼᬧᭀᬓ᭄
kelepok

ᬓᬼᬧᭀᬓ᭄
kelepok

ᬓᬼᬧᭀᬓ᭄
kelepok

pecah
broken?

dukun
a shaman

picah kapala

picah

Rank 9

เก้า
kao
nine

kau
(Hokkien káu)

ânjing
انجيڠ
dog?

kau
(Hokkien káu)

tali ‘rope’

9 Coins

เก้าจัน
kao chan
nine Diospyros decandra, similar to a persimmon

kau hitam
black nine

ânjing pîtis
انجيڠ بيتس
dog? cash

Mōru
Moor/Indian

Mōru
Moor/Indian

tali bulek
round rope

ꦒꦁꦥꦶꦕꦶꦱ꧀
gang picis
gap money

glindhing
wheels

glindhing
wheels

(sanga) glindhing, plolo

picis gedhé
large coins

(sanga) glindhing, plolo

picis gedhé
large coins

pecis
[peci or coin?]

picis
money

glindhing
wheels

ᬲᬗ
sanga
nine

ᬲᬗ
sanga
nine

ᬲᬗ
sanga
nine

ᬧᬶᬲ᭄ᬲᬗ
pis sanga
nine coins

ᬲᬗ
sanga
nine

ᬢ᭄ᬭᭀᬫ᭄ᬧᭀᬂ
trompong
Balinese gamelan

ᬢᭂᬭᭀᬫ᭄ᬧᭀᬂ
terompong
[probably Balinese gamelan]

ᬕᬵᬤ
gada
a mace

ᬕᬵᬤ
gada

bulat

galéndéng

ᨑᨘᨄᨗᨐ
rupiyaT (p. 440)
rupees

roda

rupiah
rupees

rupiah
rupees

9 Strings

เก้าแดง
kao daeng
red nine

kau merah
red nine

ânjing hâti
انجيڠ هاتي
dog? heart/liver

botol/bottle/whisky
bottle

botel
bottle

tali merah
red rope

ꦒꦁꦭꦶꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ꧀
gang lintrik

sanga bang
red nine

sanga bang
red nine

obor
torch

sanga ban/lintrik
rows or red nine

obor
torch

gang abang
red gap

cucuk abang/besar
red/large prick

ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
besar
large

ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
gesar

ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
besar

ᬮᬶᬦ᭄ᬢ᭄ᬭᬶᬓ᭄ᬩᭂᬲᬃ
lintrik besar

ᬢᬾᬚ
téja
shining/red

ᬢᬾᬚ
téja
shining/red

ᬢᬾᬚ
téja
shining/red

ᬢᬾᬚ
téja
shining/red

ᬢᬾᬚ
téja
shining/red

léntri, lantri

ᨀᨓᨚᨅ
kawo-bangT (p. 63)
red nine?

kacang
[bean/clitoris?]

meirah kacang

kio meirah

9 Myriads

เก้าคน
kao khon
nine people

kau ban

ânjing kau
انجيڠ كاو
dog? nine

Mary, Mérri, Maria, Kau Mary
Mary

Mary
Mary

tali aluih
genteel rope

ꦒꦁꦕꦶꦤ
gang cina

keyang

keyang

keyang

sanga cina, kayang, kéyang

gang
gap

wong cucuk
thorn man

ᬓᬳᭀ
kao
from Hokkien ‘nine’ (káu)?

ᬓᬳᬸ
kau

ᬓᬳᬸ
kau

ᬓᬳᬸ
kau

ᬚᭂᬭᬶᬂ
jering
[upright?]

ᬚᭂᬭᬶᬂ
jering

ᬚᭂᬭᬶᬂ
jering

ᬚᭂᬭᬶᬂ
jering

ᬚᭂᬭᬶᬂ
jering

turus

gargaji (baduri)

gargaji (baduri)

suwanggi

Games

There are many games played with Ceki cards.AN (p. 124) For most of them, I do not know of any other sets of rules recorded online.

Fishing games (where players capture cards from a central pool):

  • Cholek Tiga (‘draw three’), a Malaysian game for two or three playersAO (214)W (125)

  • Pèi, a Javanese game for three players where the goal is to collect specific scoring combinationsV (58–70)

  • Thothit, a Javanese game for three players where the goal is to capture identical pairsV (71–2)

  • Enthit, a similar Javanese game for three players where the goal is to capture identical quadrupletsV (74)

  • Thothit Kuna, an older and slower version of the gameV (74)

  • Thothit Yogyakarta, a luck-based Javanese game for three playersV (73)

  • Thit-Thit-Dulit, a luck-based Javanese game for two playersV (73)

Simple gambling games:

Trick-taking games:

  • Kartu Lima is a Javan game with unusual card rankings

Draw & discard games (like Mahjong):

  • Balik Satu (‘turn one’), a Malaysian game with no fixed number of playersAO (p. 214)W (p. 122)

  • Balik Lima BelasW (p. 127)/Balek Lima BelairAO (p. 124)/Bukak Lima Blas LehO (p. 167) (‘turn fifteen’), an alternate method of scoring Balik Satu

  • Chot/Chote/Choke/Kiong, a similar four-player gameAO (p. 214)W (p. 127)O (p. 167)

  • Gonggong, a Javan game for four or six playersV (p. 94–7)

  • Tantanan, a fast-playing Javan game for four playersV (p. 98)

  • Pong a Malaysian version of a Thai game, played by four people, also played with Mahjong tiles

Other games from Malaysia/Singapore, for which I have no rules, are:

  • Pak Tui, which is described as a solitaire game in A Baba Malay Dictionary (p. 215). This is probably also the PatuiPatoei or ڤتويI (p. 58) in older orthographies, probably also equivalent to ptu’i ꤶ꥓ꤳꥈꥆꥇ in Rejang.AP (92) which is mentioned by MayerAA (p. 499) and Matthes. The name might be from the Chinese 八對 ‘eight pairs’ (Hokkien pat tùi),This possibility raised in Himly (1889, p. 572). in which case the game could be something similar to Tantanan.

  • Choke/Chote (Ramay), a game for more than four playersAO (p. 214)

  • Tongkeng, a game for two peopleAO (p. 215)

  • Cho It and ChochotAR (p. 88) — could Chochot be the same as Chot or Thothit?

In some descriptions, Ceki is itself a game (a variant of Balik Satu) and the cards called by other names such as ijo. Een blik in het Javaansche volksleven [A glimpse into Javanese folk life] (p. 499) gives the games koa, koa-baq, koa-gonggong (Gonggong), pehi (Pèi?), patui, panghao, and cĕki, but without explanations.

Manufacturers & Brands

A bird perched on a branch.A bird perched on a branch.

The logo for Handelsvereeniging Harmsen Verweij & Dunlop N.V..

© George Pollard, 🅭🅯🄏🄎

(Extinct) European manufacturers included:

A black and white advertisement with an image of two tigers fighting.A black and white advertisement with an image of two tigers fighting.

Newspaper advertisement in Sin Po, 20th March 1922, for Mesmaekers FrèresDua Macan (‘two tigers’) brand ceki cards (kartoe tjeki), being sold by Handel Mij. (also publishers of the newspaper).

🅮

  • Camoin, a French company that was based in Marseille

  • Handelsvereeniging Harmsen Verweij & Dunlop N.V., a Dutch company that had offices in Java, Sumatra, and Celebes (Sulawesi)AS

  • Mesmaekers Frères, a Belgian company based in Turnhout whose cards were imported to Java by Brandon Mesritz & Co.AT Their brands included:

    • Dua Macan (‘two tigers’), trademark registered 15th October 1887.AU (p. 32) This brand was also used for other types of cards, like domino cards.

  • Cartamundi, a Belgian company based in Turnhout, and now the largest manufacturer of playing cards in the world. Their brands included:

    • Three Goats Brand (also labelled 行通南?), trademark registered 26 July 1972.AU (p. 47) Decks containing Ceki cards seem to have been in a red packet and labelled ‘A’; green and ‘B’ were four-colour cards.

Old Indonesian brands included:

  • Bajing (‘squirrel’)V (p. 12)

  • PajungV (p. 12)

  • 999V (p. 12)

  • Leo (‘lion’)V (p. 12)

  • Warak (‘rhino’)V (p. 12)

  • Kodok (‘frog’)V (p. 12)

  • Kunci (‘lock/key’)V (p. 12)

Modern Indonesian brands include:

  • $ Dollar

  • Ceki Jitu/Cap Udang, ‘shrimp brand’; trademark registered 8th September, 2009

  • Ceki Hiu, ‘shark ceki’ (Old Thousand has a colour image of a shark)

  • Ceki Kalong Mas (bat symbol, Old Thousand inscribed 𫑟林?)

  • Ceki Leak, a mythological creature; trademark registered 27th August, 2013

  • Ceki Sinar Rejeki, ‘lucky ray’?

  • Flipper Brand

  • Gold Fish

  • Gunting Baja, from Bali

  • Gunting Rumput

  • Gar’da Kencana

  • Jangkar Kapal, ‘ship anchor’

  • Kabuki

  • Kalajengking, ‘scorpion’

  • Kapal Ferry (Old Thousand has a colour image of a ship)

  • Liberty/777 (with an image of the Statue of Liberty)

  • Lintrik Cap Semar

  • Pura Dewa, from Bali

  • Tjap Klabang (cap klabang), ‘centipede brand’; trademark registered 28th October, 2015

The only current Malaysian manufacturer I know of is Yong Guan Heng & Co., who sell Cherki cards under the Single Lion brand (單獅嘜).

Credits

Special thanks to:

References

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