Game Rules
HokmPersian Trump Secret

Determine trump before full deal, win seven tricks as a team. Iran's most popular card game.

Players4
Duration15 – 25 Min
Deck52 Cards · 1 Deck
LevelMedium
I · Game Concept

Trump before
the Hand

I

Hokm is played by four players in two partnership teams. The special feature: one player determines the trump suit before all cards have even been dealt – based on only five cards.

The goal is for a team to win seven of the thirteen tricks. The game is typically played over several rounds until one team reaches seven overall wins.

II · Preparation

Before the
Game Begins

II
1
Deal initial cards
Each player initially receives 5 cards.
2
Determine Hokm
The "Hakem" (usually the winner of the last round) selects the trump suit based on their 5 cards.
3
Deal remaining cards
After trump selection: deal the remaining 8 cards to everyone.
Before starting

As Hakem, you make the trump decision with incomplete information – choose the suit where your first 5 cards are strongest.

III · Card Values
How Hokm
Works
III
H
Hakem
Determines Trump
The Hakem chooses the trump suit for the entire round based on 5 cards.
7
Seven Tricks
Win Condition
The team that first wins 7 of the 13 tricks immediately wins the round.
B
Follow Suit
Mandatory
If you have the led suit, you must play it – otherwise trump or off-suit.
13
Total Tricks
Per Round
13 tricks per round – the game usually ends early if a team reaches 7 wins.
IV · Gameplay

Trick by
Trick

IV
1
Determine Hokm
Hakem chooses trump suit based on their first 5 cards.
2
Deal remaining cards
All players receive their remaining 8 cards.
3
Follow suit
Play the led suit if possible, otherwise trump or off-suit.
4
Win trick
Highest trump card wins, otherwise highest card of the led suit.
5
Round won
The team with 7 tricks immediately wins the round – the remaining tricks are not played. The first to reach 7 round wins, wins the entire game.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Hokm is played under various names throughout the Middle East.

L
Lurati
Special rule: certain card combinations give bonus points.
H
Hukm
Alternative spelling – identical rules in other countries.
2
Two Players
Reduced variant with fewer cards per player.
∅
Without Hakem Bonus
Simplified variant: trump is determined randomly instead of by a player.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

As Hakem: choose the trump suit in which your first 5 cards are strongest and most numerous – this influences the entire round.

+

Play in coordination with your partner – if they are already leading the trick, play low cards instead of overbidding.

+

Observe how much trump has already been played – with 13 tricks per round, the remainder can be estimated well.

+

As soon as your team is close to 7 tricks, play with less risk – an early round win immediately ends the game in your favor.

Common Mistakes
–

As Hakem, rushing the trump selection without carefully analyzing your 5 cards.

–

Overbidding your own partner, even though they have already securely won the trick.

–

Forgetting that the round ends immediately at 7 tricks – this significantly changes endgame tactics.

–

Playing high trump cards too early, instead of saving them for the crucial final tricks of the round.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the matching deck

Hokm is Iran's favorite game for four – playable immediately with a standard deck.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Twin Pack For larger groups and long game nights. To the product Viking Playing Cards – Twin Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. To the product
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