Things You'll Need:
- Regular deck of 52 cards
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Step 1
Determine whether the game will be played to a certain score or a certain number of hands.
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Step 2
Choose the first dealer by having each player draw a card. The player with the highest card (2 is low, ace is high) is the dealer, who will be responsible for shuffling and dealing the first round. The role of the dealer will then rotate clockwise each following hand.
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Step 3
Shuffle and deal the entire 52-card deck, one card to one player at a time, in a clockwise manner, until each player has 13 cards. Players should review their cards, but not discuss their hand with any other player, including their partner. Cards can be arranged in any manner, but it is usually easiest to arrange them by suit.
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Step 4
Begin the "bid" process by having the first player (the first person to the left of the dealer) bid on the estimated number of "books" in their hand. A book, or "trick," is a round of play that the player expects to win by laying the highest card in that round. Each following player, including the dealer, then bids in a clockwise manner. The bids should be noted by the dealer or another designated player. Combine the bids for each set of partners to arrive at the total number for each team. Players can pass, meaning they expect to win no books. Players can bid no higher than 13 books.
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Step 5
Begin actual game play by having the first player lay down one card. The first player can lead with any type of card, except a spade.
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Step 6
Continue game play in a clockwise manner, having each player lay one card at a time until all four players have laid one card (a round). A player can lay any card, so long as it is the same suit as that of the original card. The card can be higher or lower in value, but it must be the same suit. If a player does not have a card that matches the suit of the first player, then they can "trump" the card by laying any "spade" card or they can "skate" by laying a card of another suit. A player who "skates" can never win the book.
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Step 7
Determine who wins the book. If all of the cards played are the same suit, then the person with the highest value card wins the book. If the round was "trumped" by a player with a spade, then that player wins the book. If more than one player "trumps" in the round, then the person with the highest value spade wins the book. The player who wins the book stacks the four cards, and sets it near them on the table.
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Step 8
Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until all cards have been played (a hand). The player that won the previous book will lead the round, and game play will continue to that player's left. The hand is over when all players have played all 13 of their cards.
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Step 9
Combine the total number of books for each set of partners to arrive at the total number for each team, after the hand has been completed.
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Step 10
Compare the number of books won by each team to their number of bids. If a team made fewer books than their bid, then deduct 10 points for bid. For example, if a team bid 6 books and only made 4, then the team would have 60 points deducted from their total score. If a team matched their bid, then they are awarded 10 points per bid. For example, if a team bid and won 5 books, then they would be awarded 50 points. If a team exceeds their bid, then they are awarded 10 points for each book up to and including their bid and 1 point for each book over their bid. For example, if a team bid 7 books and won 8, then they would be awarded 71 points.
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Step 11
End the game when the previously agreed upon score has been reached by a team or the previously agreed upon number of hands has been played.
