Last updated: .

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.

© : 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[p. 170] despite gambling being illegal. Cards are readily available at many 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 🅭🅯🄏⊜

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 🅮

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 (ꦭꦶꦤ꧀ꦠꦿꦶꦏ ‘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: bijdrage tot de beschrijving van land en volk⁩ [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: bijdrage tot de beschrijving van land en volk⁩ [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)AF[334]
Malacca (Kristang)
(1972)B
Malacca (Kristang)
(2012)AG

Padang
(2013)AH

[unstated]
(1876)AI

Pekalongan
(1941)V

Magelang
(1941)V

Yogyakarta
(1941)V

Surakarta
(1941)V

[Surabaya?]
(1914)X

Banyuwangi
(1941)V

[Badung?]
(2012)AD

Badung
(1941)V

Gianyar
(1941)V

Klungkung
(1941)V

Karangasem
(1941)V

Buleleng
(1941)V

Singaraja
(1941)V

Lombok
(2016)AE

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 สี่
si
four
si
(Hokkien sì)
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
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[p. 214]W[p. 125]
  • Pèi, a Javanese game for three players where the goal is to collect specific scoring combinationsV[p. 58–70]
  • Thothit, a Javanese game for three players where the goal is to capture identical pairsV[p. 71–2]
  • Enthit, a similar Javanese game for three players where the goal is to capture identical quadrupletsV[p. 74]
  • Thothit Kuna, an older and slower version of the gameV[p. 74]
  • Thothit Yogyakarta, a luck-based Javanese game for three playersV[p. 73]
  • Thit-Thit-Dulit, a luck-based Javanese game for two playersV[p. 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 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:

  • 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.
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). 🅮

  • 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

  1. Jones⁩, ⁨Russell (editor) (). ⁨Loan-words in Indonesian and Malay⁩. KITLV Press⁩: Leiden, Netherlands. ISBN: 978-90-6718-304-8.

  2. (). ‘⁨⁩’, translated by A. G. Smith. Journal of the International Playing-Card Society vol. 22 (2), : pages 34–40. Edited by Stuart Lawrence.

  3. (). ⁨Gambling Games of Malaya⁩. The Caxton Press⁩: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

  4. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Anthropos vol. 82 (1): pages 63–85.

  5. (). ⁨⁩. Moon Publications⁩: Chico, CA, USA. ISBN: 1-56691-073-0.

  6. (). ⁨⁩. University Press of Florida⁩. ISBN: 0-8130-1625-8.

  7. and (). ⁨⁩. Periplus Editions⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 0-7946-0000-X.

  8. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society vol. 2, : pages 48–56.

  9. (). ⁨⁩ (2nd edition). Frederik Muller⁩: Haarlem, Amsterdam.

  10. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Modern Asian Studies vol. 44 (3): pages 547–566.

  11. (). ⁨⁩ volume 2, edited by H. N. van der Tuuk. Landsdrukkerij⁩: Batavia.

  12. Pijnappel⁩, ⁨Jan (editor) (). ⁨⁩ (1st edition). Frederik Muller⁩: Haarlem, Amsterdam.

  13. (). ⁨⁩ [Pai Phong Thai]. Excise Department Printing House⁩: Wat Sommanat Vihara, Bangkok, Thailand.

  14. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Kajian Malaysia vol. 33: pages 53–74.

  15. (). ⁨⁩. Times Books International⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 9971-65-058-4.

  16. Anonymous (). ‘⁨⁩’. Federal Register vol. 13 (40), : pages 892–1059. The National Archives of the United States⁩: Washington.

  17. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Pages 155–176 in Security, Democracy, and Society in Bali⁩, edited by Andrew Vandenberg and Nazrina Zuryani. Palgrave Macmillan⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 978-981-15-5848-1.

  18. (). ⁨⁩ volume 1: ‘⁨Alif to Za⁩’. Kelly & Walsh⁩: Singapore.

  19. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Cindua Dingin.

  20. (). ⁨⁩. Frederik Muller⁩: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

  21. (). ⁨⁩. C. A. Spin & Zoon⁩: Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

  22. (). ⁨Javaanse Kaartspelen: bijdrage tot de beschrijving van land en volk⁩ [Javanese Card Games]; Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen⁩ volume 75. A. C. Nix & Co.⁩: Bandung, West Java, Indonesia.

  23. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Journal of the International Playing-Card Society vol. 32 (3): pages 119–128.

  24. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Zeitschrift für Ethnologie vol. 46 (1): pages 45–48.

  25. (). ⁨⁩. Mission Press⁩: Singapore.

  26. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Tijdschrift voor Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde vol. 31: pages 269–302.

  27. (). ⁨⁩ [A glimpse into Javanese folk life] volume 2. E. J. Brill⁩: Leiden, Netherlands.

  28. (). ‘⁨⁩’. The Straits Times⁩, : page 25. Singapore.

  29. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Atlas Obscura.

  30. (). ⁨⁩. Thesis, Universitas Udayana⁩: Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia.

  31. Anonymous (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Lai tau mah,..!!!.

  32. and (). ⁨⁩ volume 3: ‘⁨The Letter “Ch”⁩’. Government Printing Office⁩: Taiping, Perak.

  33. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Endangered Languages Archive.

  34. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Lai tau mah,..!!!.

  35. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. Tijdschrift voor Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde vol. 23: pages 512–516.

  36. (). ⁨⁩. W. Bruining⁩: Batavia.

  37. (). ⁨Indonesian Idioms and Expressions: Colloquial Indeonesian at Work⁩. Tuttle Publishing⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 978-0-8048-3873-3.

  38. (publisher) (). ‘⁨⁩’. SEAlang⁩.

  39. (publisher) (). ⁨Gateway to Old School Games⁩. Asiapac Books⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 978-981-229-949-9.

  40. (). ⁨A Nyonya Mosaic: Memoirs of a Paranakan Childhood⁩. Marshall Cavendish⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 978-981-4435-52-9.

  41. (). ⁨⁩. Tuttle Publishing⁩: Singapore. ISBN: 978-1-4629-1300-8.

  42. (). ⁨⁩; Materials in Languages of Indonesia⁩ number 27, series editor W. A. L. Stokhof. Australian National University⁩.

  43. (). ‘⁨⁩ [Oriental or occidental? Research into certain game expressions (Additions)]’. Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft vol. 43 (4): pages 555–578. Leipzig.

  44. (). ‘⁨⁩’. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society vol. 45, : pages 85–88.

  45. and (). ‘⁨⁩’. International Review of Humanities Studies vol. 3 (2): pages 274–286.

  46. (). ‘⁨⁩’ [archived]. World of Playing Cards.

  47. and (). ⁨Turnhout?⁩. Nationaal Museum van de Speelkaart⁩: Turnhout.