Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Knaves is a trick-taking card game designed for 3 players, where the aim is to be the first to accumulate 20 or more points. Players compete individually, although losing players may form temporary alliances. The game revolves around winning tricks while avoiding winning jacks, as they carry a penalty.

Knaves trick-taking card game box of cards

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How to Play Knaves

Objective of Knaves: The objective of Knaves is to be the first player to reach 20 points.

Number of Players: 3 players

Materials: A standard 52-card deck, a method for keeping score, and a flat playing surface.

Game Type: Trick-Taking Card Game

Setup

The dealer is chosen randomly and passes to the left with each new round. The deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt a hand of 13 cards, distributed clockwise, one card at a time. Afterward, the top card of the remaining deck is revealed to determine the trump suit, and the game begins.

Card Ranking and Values

The card rankings in Knaves follow a traditional order: Ace (high), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 (low).

In this game, jacks impose penalties on players who win them:

Jack of Hearts: -4 points
Jack of Diamonds: -3 points
Jack of Clubs: -2 points
Jack of Spades: -1 point

Gameplay

The player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick by playing any card. Subsequent players must follow suit if they have a card of the same suit. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any card, including trump cards. The trick is won by the player who plays the highest trump, if applicable, or the highest card of the suit that was initially led. The winner of the trick collects the cards and leads the next trick.

Penalties

There are two main types of penalties: revokes and calls.

Revoke: If a player plays a card out of suit when they could have followed suit, it may lead to a revoke. If the mistake is noticed before the trick is revealed, it can be corrected. If the mistake is revealed, another player may call for a revoke, resulting in a 3-point penalty for the offending player.
Call: If a player reveals a card in an illegal manner, it is placed face-up in front of them. Any other player may call for the offender to play the card to a trick where it would be a legal play.

Scoring

After each round, players score points for the tricks they have won. Each trick is worth 1 point, and the total score is cumulative over multiple rounds. Players must also account for any penalties from winning jacks. A player’s score can end up negative due to these penalties.

End of Game

The game ends when a player reaches 20 or more points, and that player is declared the winner.

Knaves is a strategic trick-taking card game that challenges players to balance winning tricks with avoiding penalties, particularly from the jacks. The game requires careful planning and awareness of both the current hand and the potential penalties from previous tricks. With its simple setup and deep tactical elements, Knaves is an enjoyable game for players who appreciate competitive and strategic play. Keep track of your score, manage your tricks carefully, and always watch out for the jacks to emerge victorious!