How to play Whist
The classic trick-taking card game for four. You and North are partners against West and East.
The rules, step by step
- Four players sit round the table. You and North (across from you) are partners, against West and East. Each player is dealt 13 cards.
- The last card dealt is turned over, and its suit is called trumps. A trump beats a card of any other suit.
- The player to the dealer's left plays one card. Everyone else, in turn, must play a card of the same suit if they have one. If they have none, they may play any card, including a trump.
- The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless a trump was played, in which case the highest trump wins. The winner leads the next trick.
- When all 13 tricks have been played, a side that won more than six scores one point for each trick over six.
- The first side to reach the target score wins. You can choose a short game (first to 5) or the full game (first to 7).
An example
Hearts are trumps and the first card played is the 9 of spades. If you have a spade, you must play one. If you have none, you could play a heart, a trump, and win the trick unless someone later plays a higher heart.
Tips
- Choose Easy while you learn. Normal plays well with its partner.
- Keep your high trumps for later, when they win tricks that matter.
- If your partner is already winning a trick, play a low card and save your good ones.
- Press Hint if you are not sure which card to play.