Whist Instructions

Whist is a simple trick-taking card game played by four people.

The card game Whist was first introduced in the 18th century and is modeled after the French game triomphe. Similar to hearts and bridge, yet more approachable due to its simplicity, the object of the game is to collect as many tricks as possible. Whist is played by four players split into two teams. Several versions of the game exist; however, the classic game does not include bidding and the trump suit is not determined by a player.

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Deck of cards

Instructions

- 1
  
  Divide the four players into two pairs. Sit on the opposite side of the table as your partner so that each team alternates playing a card.
- 2
  
  Determine the dealer by choosing cards from the deck. The player with the highest card deals first.
- 3
  
  Shuffle the deck thoroughly to ensure that the deck is sufficiently random.
- 4
  
  Deal the entire deck to the four players, except for the last card, dealing one card at a time clockwise around the table. Deal each card face down. Each player receives 13 cards.
- 5
  
  Flip over the last card in the deck and place it in the center of the table. This card represents the trump suit for the first trick and is owned by the dealer. This card remains on the table until it is time for the dealer to play on the first trick. He can then pick up the card or play it.
- 6
  
  Begin play with the player immediately to the left of the dealer. This player can lead with any card in his hand.
- 7
  
  Play a card on the trick, moving clockwise around the table. Players are required to follow suit. If they cannot follow suit, they can play any card including a trump card. Win the trick by playing the highest card in the suit or by playing the highest trump card. aces have the highest rank, followed by kings, queens, jacks and so on down to twos.
- 8
  
  Continue until all 13 tricks have been won. The team that collects the most tricks scores one point for each trick in excess of six; for example, if one team recorded seven tricks, they receive one point.
- 9
  
  Win the game by being the first team to record five points.