climbing · Indonesia
Capsa
Also known as Cap Sa · Capsa Banting · Big Two
Capsa — also spelled Cap Sa and known as Capsa Banting — is Indonesia's hugely popular shedding game, the local name for Big Two. The name comes from Hokkien for "thirteen", the number of cards each player holds. Race to be the first to empty your hand by playing ever-higher singles, pairs, triples and five-card poker combinations; the Two is the highest card and Spades the highest suit. Note: this is the climbing game Capsa Banting, not the Chinese-Poker-style Capsa Susun. Capsa plays on our Big Two engine, free in your browser against smart bots or friends — no download and no signup.
2–4 players · free · no download · no signup
How to play Capsa
- The player holding the 3 of Diamonds leads, playing it as a single or inside a combo.
- Each turn, beat the last play with a higher combo of the same shape, or pass.
- Use pairs, triples and five-card poker hands to dump lots of cards fast.
- When all others pass, you win the round and lead the next one freely.
- Be the first to empty your hand to win; everyone else scores penalties for leftover cards.
Capsa rules
Deck & deal
Played by 2 to 4 players with a standard 52-card deck. With 4 players everyone gets 13 cards; with fewer players each takes 13 and the rest stay aside. Rank runs 3 (low) up to 2 (high), and suits break ties: Spades highest, then Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds (so 2 of Spades is the top card, 3 of Diamonds the lowest).
The lead
Whoever holds the 3 of Diamonds leads first and must include it in the opening play. You may lead a single, a pair, a triple, or a five-card poker combination.
Five-card combos
Five-card plays rank low to high: straight, flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, then straight flush. A combo can only be beaten by the same shape that is higher.
Beating & passing
Each player in turn beats the previous play with a higher combo of the same number of cards, or passes. When everyone else passes in a row, the last player to lay cards leads a fresh round with any combo they like.
Bombs (Banting)
In the Banting style a four-of-a-kind or straight flush can be slammed down as a 'bomb' to beat a single 2 — the move that gives Capsa Banting its name.
Winning
The first player to shed every card wins the round. Remaining players score penalty points for the cards still in their hands.
Strategy tips
- Hold your 2s and high spades to seize the lead late in the game.
- Break up weak singles and low cards early before you get stuck with them.
- Save a four-of-a-kind or straight flush as a bomb to break an opponent's lead.
- Count which high cards have been played so you know when your combo is unbeatable.
- Lead with a shape your opponents are unlikely to match to force passes.
Variants
Big Two · Dai Di · Pusoy Dos
Capsa — frequently asked questions
Is Capsa the same as Big Two?
Yes — Capsa (Cap Sa, or Capsa Banting) is the Indonesian name for Big Two. It is the same shedding game and plays on our Big Two engine.
Is Capsa the same as Capsa Susun?
No. This page is the climbing game Capsa Banting, where you shed your whole hand. Capsa Susun is a separate Chinese-Poker game where you arrange 13 cards into three hands.
How many players can play Capsa?
Capsa is best with 4 players but works with 2 to 4. Fill empty seats with our smart bots anytime.
Can I play Capsa online free?
Yes — Capsa is free in your browser against smart bots or friends, with no download and no signup.
Why is it called Capsa?
Capsa comes from the Hokkien word for thirteen, the number of cards each player is dealt — the same root as the names cap sa and Big Two.