Last Updated on October 23, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Bid Whist, a popular trick-taking card game (a variation on Classic Whist), holds a special place in gaming culture and American communities. This game challenges players to predict and fulfill the number of tricks they’ll win in each hand. By using clever bidding strategies and precise card play, players work to outwit their opponents and secure a win. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:

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How to Play Bid Whist

1. Understanding the Basics

Before jumping into the gameplay, it’s important to grasp these core elements:

The Deck: Bid Whist is played with a standard 52-card deck and two jokers. The deck includes four suits—spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs—with each suit containing thirteen cards.
Players: Typically played by four players, Bid Whist divides them into two teams, each with two players who sit opposite each other at the table.
Card Rankings: The value of cards depends on the bid, and the ranking changes accordingly:
- Uptown trumps: Big joker, little joker, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 down to 2.
- Uptown non-trump suits: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 down to 2.
- Downtown trumps: Big joker, little joker, Ace, 2, 3, 4… Jack, Queen, King.
- Downtown non-trump suits: Ace, 2, 3, 4… Jack, Queen, King.

If the bid is no trump, jokers have no value, but can be played if no cards of the led suit are available.

2. How to Play Bid Whist

Deal the Cards: The dealer passes out 12 cards to each player and places six cards face down in the center as the kitty.
Bidding: Players bid on the number of tricks they aim to win, with the bid ranging from three to seven. The highest bidder gets to decide whether the trump suit is “Uptown,” “Downtown,” or “No Trump.”
Gameplay: The first player leads with any card, and the next players must follow suit if they have that suit in hand. Trump cards beat non-trump cards, and the highest card in the suit or trump wins the trick. If a player cannot follow the suit, they may play a trump card or another suit.
Ending the Game: The game ends when one team achieves a cumulative score of plus or minus seven.

3. Scoring

In Bid Whist, scoring revolves around fulfilling bids:

The team that wins the bid must meet their trick goal.
Each trick above six counts as 1 point.
Failing to meet the bid results in a “set,” meaning the team scores nothing, and their bid points are subtracted from their total.

4. Tips and Strategies

Know Your Opponents: Pay attention to their bidding patterns and card choices to anticipate their strategies.
Memory Matters: Track which high-ranking cards have been played to make smarter decisions.
Bid Wisely: Assess your hand’s strength before bidding. Consider your partner’s hand as well for more strategic collaboration.

5. Bid Whist vs. Spades

Bid Whist and Spades share similar mechanics but differ in key areas:

Rule	Bid Whist	Spades
Players	4	2, 3, or 4
Cards	52 + 2 Jokers	52 (regular game)
Trump Suit	Determined by bidding	Spades
Bidding	Must exceed the previous bid	Any number from 0 to 13
Partnership	Players form teams	Players can form teams or play individually
Scoring	Points based on fulfilling bids	Points for tricks won
Penalties	None	Penalties for exceeding bid

Conclusion

Bid Whist is a thrilling game that blends strategy, memory, and teamwork. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, the game offers endless enjoyment and opportunities to sharpen your skills. Grab your friends or family, place your bids, and let the fun begin!