Game Rules
PiquetFrance's Elegant Heritage

Elegant French two-player game. Exchange, declare, and take tricks for 100 victory points.

Players2
Duration20 – 30 min
Deck32 cards · 1 deck
LevelChallenging
I · Game Idea

Three phases,
one victory

I

Piquet is one of the oldest French card games and is considered particularly elegant. It is divided into three phases: exchange phase, declaration phase, and trick-taking phase.

Points come from all three phases – whoever has more total points at the end wins the game, which usually goes over several rounds to 100 points.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal cards
32 cards: 12 cards per player. 8 cards remain as the talon.
2
Exchange phase
Each player may exchange cards with the talon to improve their hand.
3
Declaration phase
Combinations such as Point, Sequence, and Set are announced and compared.
Before starting

Strategically exchange for sequences and sets – the declaration phase often brings more points than the tricks themselves.

III · Card Values
What counts in the declaration
phase
III
P
Point
Longest suit
Whoever has the most cards of one suit gets points equal to the number of cards.
S
Sequence
3+ in a row
Consecutive cards of the same suit – the longer, the more points.
C
Quart/Trio
Four of a kind/Three of a kind
Four or three cards of the same rank (Jack or higher): fixed point values.
100
Target Score
Over several rounds
Whoever first reaches 100 total points over multiple games wins the game.
IV · Gameplay

Three phases
in detail

IV
1
Exchange
Exchange cards with the talon to improve your hand.
2
Declare
Announce Point, Sequence, and Sets – a higher declaration by the opponent can invalidate your own.
3
Play tricks
Alternately play cards – whoever plays a higher card wins the trick.
4
Bonus points
Last trick and certain special combinations bring additional points.
5
Count points
Declaration points plus trick points plus bonuses are added. Played over several games up to 100 points – whoever reaches that first wins.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Piquet influenced many later card games in Europe.

R
Rubicon Piquet
Extended tournament format with additional end bonus points.
A
Auction Piquet
With a bidding phase for the talon instead of free exchange.
3
Piquet à trois
Variant for three players with adapted rules.
∅
Simplified
Without complex special bonuses for beginners.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

In the first phase, strategically exchange for long sequences or sets – they bring a disproportionately high number of points in the declaration phase.

+

Declare your combinations strategically in the correct order – a higher opponent's declaration can completely invalidate your own.

+

For the trick-taking phase, hold back cards that are useful for both tricks and the declaration phase.

+

Plan over multiple games – Piquet is often only decided after several rounds up to 100 points.

Common Mistakes
–

Focusing the exchange phase only on individual strong cards, instead of aiming for complete sequences or sets.

–

Still declaring a weaker combination, even though it could be invalidated by a higher one from the opponent.

–

Forgetting the bonus points for the last trick and thereby underestimating your own game.

–

Playing all strong cards too early in the trick-taking phase, without considering the declaration phase.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Piquet is France's elegant heritage – ready for two players with a 32-card deck.

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