TENE is a two-player rally game in which you return each incoming ball with a racket of the same color. The first player to score 6 or more points wins a set. Win 2 sets to win the match.
Your hand is your stamina. Returning with one card keeps your hand size steady. But using a SMASH with two or more cards, or a CUT that ignores racket colors, quickly uses up your hand. Read your opponent’s weak colors and remaining cards, then strike at the right moment with a smash worth 2 points. You don’t always have to return the ball. If you cannot return it, call “TENE!” to give your opponent the point and replenish your hand. Sometimes, giving up 1 point—even when you could return the ball—is part of your strategy.
a. 45 Racket Cards: 9 types, 5 of each b. 4 Wild Cards c. 2 Score Cards d. 4 Score Markers: 1 red, 1 blue, 2 yellow e. 1 Rulebook
Each card shows two colors: the racket color used to return an incoming ball, and the ball color sent to your opponent. The colors are red, blue, and yellow. There are 45 Racket Cards: 3 racket colors × 3 ball colors × 5 of each combination.
Do not shuffle Wild Cards into the deck. Choose a racket color and a ball color independently from red, blue, and yellow. Wild Cards can also be used when playing multiple cards. When returning with a Wild Card, always announce the ball color you are sending to your opponent.
(1) Choose the first server by any method. (2) Each player places a Score Card in front of them. Use the front—the side showing the return rules. (3) Place a yellow Score Marker on “0” on your Score Card. (4) Shuffle all 45 Racket Cards and deal 8 to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in the center as the deck. (5) Place the 4 Wild Cards face up, separate from the deck. This is the Wild Card pool. → Go to “2. THE RALLY.”
