How to Make Court Whist Score Cards

Court whist is a variation of the card game whist. A full deck of cards is dealt to four players in two teams. In regular whist, the last card dealt is the trump---the suit that can take (or trump) other tricks. In court whist, the trump cards are defined by a certain order as indicated on the scoring cards. Court whist scoring cards lists the different "courts" or suits, and any special scoring rules. Points are scored according to how many tricks are taken during a round by the team.

Things You'll Need

• Graph Paper (minimum 52 rows)
• Ruler
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Draw a box on your graph paper 52 rows long and 6 columns wide. The first resource shows you images of card game score sheets, including court whist.

2. Leave a space for the player's name in the top left. Label the first column, down the rows in that column, with the following (include the indicated spaces): Deal, 1, 2, 3, 4, (4 spaces), 5, 6, 7, 8, (4 spaces), 9, 10, 11, 12, (4 spaces), 13, 14, 15, 16, (4 spaces), 17, 18, 19, 20, (4 spaces), 21, 22, 23, 24, (4 spaces)

3. Write the following down the rows in the second column, next to the indicated numbered row (the rows you numbered in Step 1):
   1 Holder king of spades declares trump
   2 Holder king of clubs declares trump
   3 Holder king of hearts declares trump
   4 Holder king of diamonds declares trump
   5 Spades are trump
   6 Hearts are trump
   7 Clubs are trump
   8 Diamonds are trump
   9,10,11, and 12 Cut for trump
   13,14,15,16 No trump
   17 Spades are trump
   18 Hearts are trump
   19 Clubs are trump
   20 Diamonds are trump
   21 Spades are trump
   22 Hearts are trump
   23 Clubs are trump
   24 Diamonds are trump

4. Write the following titles in column 2, above the indicated rows

   1 Coronation: Total tricks scored
   5 Prosperity: Each trick counts as double
   9 Conspiracy: Each player scores individual tricks only
   13 Revolution: Each side scores opponent's tricks
   17 Confiscation: Anyone who speaks after cards are dealt has 3 deducted from their score
   21 Restoration: Count the five honors in addition to the tricks

5. In column 3, write the totals next to each section. For example, total coronation, total prosperity, total conspiracy, total revolution, and total confiscation.

6. Columns 4 to 6 are left blank and are used for scoring during the game.

7. Photocopy your score card for future games.

Tips & Warnings

• Photocopy the paper onto card stock for sturdier score cards.

• Shrink the score cards down by 50%, photocopy on both sides, and copy two cards onto one sheet to maximize paper usage.

Resources

• Game scorecards
• Games by James: Court Whist Scoring Cards