All Madiao Card Match Locations in Where Winds Meet: Completing and Solving

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Although Where Winds Meet is an open-world RPG, you’ll find mini-games spread across different regions as you explore. These mini-games provide a break from the main gameplay and give you chances to earn money and boost your stats. One of these games is Madiao, which can be tricky to play without clear instructions.

The game’s tutorial covers the basics, but it takes several rounds to really get familiar with how it works. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you bluff your opponents—whether they’re NPCs or other players—so you can win the pot.

How To Play Madiao

Before sitting at a Madiao table, make sure you have the right coins and meet specific stat requirements, which can differ depending on the table.

Once you’re seated, the game moves fast. Each turn, you can choose to play your cards honestly or bluff your way into the next round.

Note: The following advice mainly relates to playing against NPCs, but the same strategies apply in multiplayer games.

The Rules of Madiao

In Madiao, the player who goes first picks a number and then declares exactly what cards they are playing. For example, they might say they’ve played four cards with the number ten on them.

You won’t know their actual hand, only what you can infer based on your own cards. You have the option to challenge them—forcing them to reveal their hand—or to pass. If you pass, the game continues until someone challenges.

When you challenge, you either succeed or fail. If you’re right, you’ve called their bluff, and they must take all the cards in the center and take a drink. After that, you can start a new round with a fresh declaration.

Warning: Every drink increases your risk of passing out—each time you do, you get a 25% higher chance of being knocked out of the game.

If they were truthful, you have to take their cards and drink the wine. The game continues until someone plays all their cards without passing out.

Where To Play Madiao

Most Madiao tables are located in Kaifeng, with one just north of Blissful Retreat. Here are some notable locations:

Map	Location
	In the northwest corner of the city, at the foot of the bridge across the river.
	Along the western wall inside the imperial city, northern quadrant.
	North of the docks, in the restricted area’s courtyard.
	Outside the palace, on the eastern side along the inner city wall.
	Northeast of the fairgrounds, across the water.
	At southern city entrance, over the bridge beyond the courtyard wall.
	Outside the city, in East Kaifeng Suburbs, by the water.
	West of the city walls, just outside the main entrance.
	To the far west of Kaifeng.
	Between the imperial gardens and Jadewood Court.
	In Masterwood Hamlet, south of the southernmost building.
	East of Plainfield, north of the Granary of Plenty.
	Mid of Gracetown, on the eastern border of the city center.

Best Madiao Strategies

To improve your chances of winning, try these tactics:

Challenge when four or more cards are played at once. It’s suspicious—most players won’t lay down that many unless they have wild cards, which can count as any number. This is a good time to challenge, but be cautious.
Start rounds with a few false cards, then play honestly later. Play only one or two cards initially, saving your stronger, truthful cards for later rounds when others are more likely to challenge, helping you get rid of cards more safely.
Choose a player to challenge frequently. Repeated challenges allow you to call new numbers and eliminate their cards, reducing your opponents faster.
Use Wild Cards to trick others. Since wild cards can be any number, claiming you played six sevens but actually playing five wild cards and one seven can be convincing. Save wild cards for moments when the pot is big.

Tip: Keep track of what cards each player has. This will help you spot bluffs more easily.

Rewards for Playing Madiao

Winning at Madiao brings various rewards, including coins, jade, exploration experience, and resolve points. The more tables you win at, the better your character’s stats will get, and the more money you’ll earn!