Game Rules
WhistThe forerunner of Bridge

A classic trick-taking game and the historic forerunner of modern partnership games. Simpler than Bridge, just as strategic.

Players4
Time20 – 30 min
Deck52 cards · 1 deck
LevelMedium
I · The idea

Counting tricks,
no bidding

I

Whist is the historic forerunner of Bridge – but without a bidding phase. Four players in two partnerships try to win as many tricks as possible.

The last card dealt automatically determines the trump suit – no negotiation needed.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal the cards
52 cards evenly: 13 cards each.
2
Determine trump
The dealer's last card is turned face up – its suit is automatically trump.
3
Form partnerships
Players sitting opposite each other form a team.
III · Card values
How tricks
are won
III
♠
Trump
Last card
The last card dealt sets the trump suit for the whole round.
F
Follow suit
Mandatory
If you hold the suit led, you must play it.
↑
Highest wins
Trump beats all
The highest trump card always wins. Without trump: highest card of the suit led.
13
Tricks
Per round
13 tricks per round – each team counts the tricks it has won.
IV · Gameplay

Trick by
trick

IV
1
Lead the first trick
The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick.
2
Follow suit
Everyone must play the suit led if possible.
3
Win the trick
Highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led.
4
Next trick
The winner of the trick leads the next card.
5
Count points
Every trick beyond the first six scores one point. The team that first reaches an agreed score (usually 5 or 7) over several rounds wins.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Whist laid the foundation for Bridge and many other trick-taking games.

S
Solo Whist
For 3–4 players without fixed partnerships – everyone plays for themselves.
K
Knock-out Whist
Whoever wins no trick is eliminated – until one winner remains.
B
Bid Whist
With a bidding phase like Bridge – an American evolution.
G
German Whist
For 2 players: tricks decide who draws the next card.
VI · Tips & tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy tips
+

Memorize the face-up trump card carefully – it reveals which high trumps are still in play.

+

Play in sync with your partner, even without words – the order of played cards gives indirect hints.

+

Hold high trump cards back until an important trick is at stake instead of wasting them early.

+

Keep track of which cards of a suit have already been played – it helps enormously with late-round planning.

Common mistakes
–

Forgetting the trump suit because it is only shown once at the start of the round.

–

Playing high cards too early without considering how the round is unfolding.

–

Not reacting to your partner – for example, ignoring an obviously weak card from your partner.

–

Ignoring the obligation to follow suit when you actually hold the suit led in your hand.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching decks
Get the right deck

Whist is the elegant classic among trick-taking games – timeless with a good deck.

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20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For bigger groups and long game nights. View product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, ideal for 5+ players. View product
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