Whist

Objective

Classic Whist is played by four players in two fixed opposite partnerships. We play a single game to 5 points, without bidding or honours.

Deal and setup

Use 52 French-suited cards without jokers. Ace is high; ascending order is 2 through 10, J, Q, K, A. Each player receives 13 cards.

How to play — step by step

1. The game randomly selects the first dealer. Cards are dealt one at a time clockwise, starting on the dealer’s left. The last card belongs to the dealer and determines trumps for the deal. It is exposed until the dealer’s first turn; it is not an extra card.
2. The player to the dealer’s left leads first. Any card may be led, including a trump on the first trick. Play proceeds clockwise.
3. Follow the suit led if you can. Otherwise play any card. You never have to trump, beat a card or overtrump, even when an opponent is winning the trick.
4. The highest trump wins the trick; without trumps, the highest card of the suit led wins. The winner leads next. Opposite partners combine their tricks.
5. Points are awarded after all 13 tricks. The partnership with 7 to 13 tricks scores its trick total minus six; the other scores nothing. For example, 7 tricks score 1 point and 10 tricks score 4.
6. The partnership reaching at least 5 points after a completed deal wins. Otherwise start another deal; the dealer moves one seat clockwise. The last card determines trumps again.
7. A win, XP and rewards count once per complete game, for both winning partners. Surrender is a loss without XP. Opponents and your partner cannot see your hidden cards. Backs unlock separately from faces.

Important rules to remember