Last Updated on October 24, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Mendikot is a fast-paced, strategic card game where players compete to be the first to score 15 points by creating specific card combinations. With its easy-to-learn rules and exciting twists, Mendikot is perfect for game nights and casual play. Players must think ahead, strategize, and outsmart their opponents to claim victory.

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How to Play Mendikot

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Players and Cards

• Players: 4, in two teams with partners sitting opposite each other.
• Deck: Standard 52-card pack.
• Card Ranking: From high to low: A-K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2.
• Play Direction: Anticlockwise.

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The Deal and Choosing Trumps

1. Determine the first dealer by drawing cards from a shuffled deck; the highest or lowest card can be agreed upon to start.
2. The dealer distributes 13 cards per player (first five cards, then the remaining eight in batches of four).
3. Trump suit (hukum) can be chosen in one of three ways:
   • Random Draw: Player to dealer’s right draws a card; its suit is trump.
   • Closed Trump (Band Hukum): Player to dealer’s right places a card face down; its suit is trump.
   • Cut Hukum: No trump initially; the first time a player cannot follow suit, the suit they play becomes trump.

Note: In Band Hukum, there are two options for revealing the trump during play. Players must agree on which to use before starting:

• Option A: Reveal the trump as soon as a player cannot follow suit; the revealed card returns to the player’s hand.
• Option B: A player may choose to reveal the trump before playing when unable to follow suit; the revealed suit counts as trump for all subsequent tricks.

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Gameplay

1. Lead: Player to dealer’s right leads the first trick with any card.
2. Follow Suit: Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, any card may be played.
3. Winning a Trick:
   • If no trumps are played, highest card of the suit led wins.
   • If trumps are played, highest trump wins.
4. Trick Collection: Winner gathers the cards for their team and leads the next trick.

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Scoring and Winning

• Winning a Deal:
  • Side capturing three or four tens in tricks wins.
  • If each team has two tens, the winner is the team with seven or more tricks.
• Mendikot: Capturing all four tens in a single hand.
• 52-Card Mendikot (Whitewash): Winning all 13 tricks.
• Deal Rotation:
  • Losing team’s dealer continues unless a whitewash occurs, then the dealer’s partner deals.
  • Winning team’s dealer passes the deal to the player on the right.

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Strategy Tips

• Track the Tens: Keep careful memory of tens played; controlling them is key to winning.
• Communication via Play: Use strategic plays to signal strength or weakness in certain suits to your partner.
• Trump Timing: Playing trumps too early can waste your advantage; timing is critical.
• Manage Leads: Leading with non-trump suits can bait opponents into wasting their trumps.
• Partner Awareness: Pay attention to your partner’s plays to build strong tricks and prevent opponents from achieving a mendikot.

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Variants

• Six or Eight Players: Can be played with larger teams; remove all twos from the deck, leaving 48 cards to deal evenly.
• Alternative Trumps: Players can agree on different methods for selecting trump suited to their style or region.

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FAQ – Mendikot Rules

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Conclusion

Mendikot is a thrilling partnership game that blends strategy, memory, and careful teamwork. The challenge of capturing tens while anticipating opponents’ moves makes every hand exciting. Whether playing casually with friends or competitively, mastering the tactics of Mendikot rewards observation, planning, and cooperation, making it a timeless favorite in Indian card gaming culture.