Trick Taking Card Game - How to Play with Rules

Introduction

Playing a trick-taking game is one of the best forms of entertainment. Playing over the internet is a much more convenient way to enjoy the game than offline, as the player doesn’t have to ask his friends/family members to join the table with him. You can easily download a gaming app on your mobile device to play the game against other players anytime and anywhere.

Here, you will find all the information about the games, including the methodology used and their history.

What is a Trick-Taking Game?

As the name suggests, playing a trick-taking card game requires implementing tricks and strategies on the table. You also need planning, focus, logical reasoning, and, most importantly- the ability to develop strategy and make quick decisions.

Some of the most popular trick-taking games are -

• 3 2 5
• Spades
• Hearts
• Bridge
• Forty-five
• California Jack
• Pitch
• Euchre
• Oh Hell

Experts agree that trick-taking games originated in China and later spread to Western countries like the USA, Russia, Canada, and England.

Popular Trick-Taking Card Games

Here are some trick-taking card games:

• 3 2 5: Also known as the teen do panch or 235 or 532, 325 is played with 30 cards and can only be played between 3 players. The cards are above the value of 8 and can also include 7 of hearts and 7 of spades. The aim is to win maximum tricks.
• Spades: Spades is a card game from the Whist family. It is played with a standard 52-card pack. The objective is to win the bidding number of tricks.
• Hearts: The objective of Hearts is to score the lowest. The game is played with a standard 52-card deck and four players. The highest-ranking card is the Ace and the lowest is the 2. 
• Bridge: The game begins when the dealer distributes 13 cards to each player. It is played in partnership, and each team aims to score points by bidding.
• Forty-five: Forty-five is played with a standard 52-card deck and with 4 to 6 players. The objective of the game is to get more points by winning tricks.
• California Jack: A variant of the Seven Up card game, California Jack is a trick-taking card game. The objective remains the same: getting points by making tricks. The game is played with 2 players and a standard 52-card deck.
• Pitch: It is a 4-player game, played with a standard deck of cards and in teams. The game’s objective is to get to 12 points. Ace is the highest and 2 is the lowest card.
• Euchre: Euchre is another trick-taking card game. It is played with four players and a deck of 24 cards. There are different variations of the game. Three-euchre is played with three people. The goal is to be the first team to reach a certain point.
• Oh Hell: Also known as the oh pshaw or blackout, this game is played with 3-7 players. It uses a standard deck of 52 cards, and the goal is to win the exact number of tricks bid.

How to win a trick-taking game

The game can be played between two or more players. To win, the player needs to earn points by winning the tricks. The player who wins the maximum number of rounds becomes the champion.

At the beginning of the game, the dealer distributes an equal number of cards to all the participants. The first player plays his card, and others follow suit. The player with the highest hand ranking wins the round. Here are some strategies to win:

• Before starting, learn and understand the game’s objective, rules, and gameplay.
• Evaluate the strength of your cards. Look for trumps and high-value cards.
• Play high cards and follow suit whenever possible.
• Observe your opponent's move and their gameplay.

How to play trick-taking card games

A trick-taking game is usually played with a regular 52-card deck.

Each player in a trick-taking game will have a hand with ranks and suits. When one player plays a card, initiating the "trick," the other players must, if possible, follow suit. The trick is then awarded to the player with the highest card in the leading suit.

Here's how to play trick-taking games in general:

Step 1 - Distribution of cards to win the game

The dealer shuffles the cards before handing them to the players in each round. Depending on the game type, players are dealt a set number of cards, with the remaining cards placed in a discard pile.

Step 2: The Game.

The dealer usually takes the first trick, playing the card to start the game, and the others follow suit. You may play any other card from your hand if you cannot follow suit.

Step 3: Play the Trump card

The "trump card" is the highest-ranking card in trick-taking games and is selected by bidding or drawing from the remaining cards. The trump suit is a winning strategy in which one trick's winner leads to the next until all the hands are empty.

Step 4: Complete the game.

The basic goal of trick-play games is to win with a high score, but in some games, the lowest score also wins. The winner is determined by how well the player performs on tricks, manages the cards, and takes control of tricks and trumps.

To win, you must generally play a card from the same suit with a higher value. If the player does not have the card from the same suit, they can still play by forfeiting the current round.

Trump Suit

There is also a "trump" suit in many (but not all) trick-taking games. Trumps are the highest-ranking card in the game. You flip the first card from the discarded deck to determine the trump. You can use Trump to win if you cannot follow the ongoing suit.

Trick-taking games work as follows: a player takes the lead by playing a card. Everyone else takes turns playing a card. You try to follow the suit, and whoever plays the highest card in that suit wins the trick.

But if you played the trump card, you still win despite the player placing the highest card from the suit.

Types of 2 Player trick-taking games

Schnapsen

Schnapsen is a combination of Spades and Rummy. You play with a 20-card deck, which includes only Aces, Tens, Kings, Queens, and Jacks. Each card has a point value assigned to it. You win tricks to reach a score of 66.

Umbridge

Umbridge is a variation of the ‘Bridge’  card game and was invested by David Parlett. The gameplay is similar to the Bridge, except here you can literally "take umbrage" with your hand and swap it with your opponent’s.

Piquet/Counterpique

Both the games are 2-player cards game, played with a deck of 32 cards. You remove all the 2s and 6s from the standard 52-card deck. The goal is to win tricks by forming card combinations.

Each player gets 12 cards in all 6 rounds. They discard the cards they don’t need and form combinations with the rest. 

Types of 3 player trick taking games

Rummy

Rummy is a traditional and popular card game. It has numerous versions and served as the foundation for other popular games such as gin rummy, 500 rummy, and at least seven additional card games featuring the word 'Rummy' in their names. The game can be played with two to four people, although three is the ideal number for this card game.

Each player is handed seven cards, and the goal is to be the first to arrange the cards in sequences and sets. Cards can be laid off by arranging three or more cards of the same value in sequential sequence and of the same suit.

Old Maid

Old Maid, sometimes called Black Peter, is a simple family card game. You play with a standard 52-card deck. But to make it interesting, you remove 1 queen from the deck. The objective is to find and discard pairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most well-known trick-taking games?

The most popular trick-taking games are Spades, Hearts, 3 2 5, Bridge, Forty-five, California Jack, etc.

What exactly is a trick in a card game?

Trick-taking games are a card game in which each player takes turns playing a card on the table, and whoever plays the best card wins.

Can a single individual participate in trick-taking games?

No, trick-taking games require at least two players.

What is the objective of a trick-taking card game?

The objective of this game is to collect as many tricks as possible.

What is the 4-player trick-taking card game?

Hearts is a 4-player trick-taking card game.

What is the Indian trick-taking card game?

Kachufol, or kachuful, is an Indian trick-taking card game.

Conclusion

If you love games with strategy, then the Trick-taking card game is for you. You win by playing a trick. You should be able to plan, focus, develop strategy and make quick decisions.

The gameplay remains the same, however rules may change based on the variation. So, learn all the rules and gameplay thoroughly before playing.