koi-koi

Noun

koi-koi (uncountable)

1. A Japanese card game for two players played with hanafuda cards, similar to the Korean game of go-stop
   • Reason: The accused has done gambling so called "Koikoi" "Atosaki" about 5 times, continuing his criminal intent, during the period from August 30, 1946, to September 19, 1946 by using Hana Cards with Takesada Mishina and several others at the house of Takesada Mishina No. 611, Imaichi...1948, Official Gazette. English Edition: Issues 526-548
   • The card game involved, called koi-koi, was a kind of Japanese pelmanism and Mitsu had often seen Taguchi-san engrossed in a game with one of his colleagues during the lunch-break.1994, Shūsaku Endō, translated by Mark Williams, The Girl I Left Behind, New Directions, →ISBN, page 67

Interjection

1. A call made by a potential winner in a round of koi-koi who wishes to continue the round, risking losing the points they earned so far for a chance to earn more points
   • He may also continue, if he thinks he has a chance to make another bonus combination. If he takes this risk, he says, "come on." or "koi koi." but if his opponent makes a bonus combination before he can do so, he forfeits everything gained in that hand.1970, Japan Publications, Hanafuda: The Flower Card Game, Japan Publications, →ISBN, page 83
   • All right, koi-koi! Here! Boar, deer, butterfly. Boom!!2017, Akiko Higashimura, “The Little Match Girl” (chapter 61), in anonymous translator, Princess Jellyfish 6, Kodansha Comics, →ISBN

   Synonyms:

   koi