How to Play Whist: Classic Trick-Taking Card Game Rules

Whist is the 18th-19th century ancestor of Bridge. Simple rules, deep strategy. Here's the standard 4-player partnership version:

Setup

• Players: 4 in two partnerships (partners sit opposite).
• Deck: Standard 52-card, no jokers. Ace high.
• Deal: 13 cards each, clockwise. Last card (dealer's) turned face-up = trump suit. Dealer picks it up after first trick.

Play

1. Lead: Player left of dealer leads any card.
2. Follow suit: Must play same suit if possible. Otherwise, any card (including trump).
3. Win trick: Highest trump wins. If no trump, highest card of led suit wins.
4. Next lead: Winner of trick leads next.
5. Continue: 13 tricks per hand.

Scoring

• Tricks won: Each trick over 6 = 1 point (e.g., 8 tricks = 2 points).
• Game: First partnership to 5 points (short) or 7/9 points (long) wins.
• Honors (optional): Holding top 3-4 trumps (A,K,Q,J) scores bonus points at hand end.

Key Strategy

• Opening leads: Lead trumps if strong; lead from honors in side suits; lead singleton vs. trump contracts.
• Second hand low: Generally play lowest card of suit.
• Third hand high: Partner's lead — play highest to win or force high trump.
• Signal with discards: High-low = encouragement in suit; low-high = discouragement.
• Count cards: Track trumps and key suits played.

Popular Variants

• Bid Whist: Bid tricks + trump (or no-trump). 54 cards + 2 jokers.
• Solo Whist: 5 players, one soloist vs. four.
• Knockout Whist: Elimination tournament style.
• Israeli Whist: Bidding + partnership, popular in Israel.

Why Play Whist?

Pure skill, no bidding complexity of Bridge, perfect for 4 players, teaches fundamental trick-taking logic. Great gateway to Bridge!