How to Play Whist Cards

The card game whist has been played since the 18th century. Many believe the Turks created this game and introduced it to the British, who then brought the game to America. There are a many variations of this game. The following shows you how to play the classic version of whist.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Deck of cards with the jokers removed
• 4 players

1. Pair up members of the group until there are 2 teams of 2. Sit opposite from your partner.

2. Shuffle and deal the cards one at a time, starting with the player on the dealer's left until the cards are gone. Each player should have 13 cards each. Turn over the last card, which is dealt to the dealer, face up onto the table. This card determines the trump suit, the suit that beats all other suits.

3. Lay down a card in the middle of the table to start out the game, if you are the left of dealer. Go clockwise around the table, each playing a card that matches the suit of the leading card. If you don't have a card of the same suit in your hand, you can use any suit card as the low card in the round. You also can use the trump suit which beats other suits.

4. Take the trick, or book, if your team is the winner of the round. Separate the books so you can count them up at the end of the game.

5. Lead the next round when you win.

6. Add up your team's score. Each team earns 1 point for each trick won over 6 tricks.

7. Win the game if you are the first team to reach 5 points.

Tips & Warnings

• The ace is the high card in this game.
• You can do a search online to find whist tournaments around the world.
• Don't try to beat your partner. For example, if the suit is spades, the trump is hearts and your partner lays down an ace of spades, don't lay down a heart card if you are certain that your partner plans to take the trick.