Last Updated on July 19, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

“Piquet” is a classic two-player trick-taking card game that combines skill, strategy, and careful hand management. Played with a 32-card deck, each round consists of three phases: exchanging unwanted cards, declaring point-scoring combinations, and playing tricks to win additional points. Learn the rules, scoring system, and strategies to master this historic and tactical card game!

Piquet card game card s fanned out on a black backdrop

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see our disclosures here.

How to Play Piquet

Introduction to Piquet

Piquet is a classic two-player card game played with a 32-card deck, which excludes cards ranked 2 through 6. The cards rank from 7 (low) to Ace (high) in each suit. Originating in France and steeped in centuries of tradition, Piquet uses a number of French terms to describe key elements of the game. These terms are explained throughout the rules.

A full game of Piquet—called a “partie”—consists of six deals, with players alternating as dealer. Each player is dealt 12 cards, and the remaining 8 cards form the talon (a stock pile used for exchanging). Each deal has three main phases:

Exchange Phase – Players discard and draw from the talon to improve their hands.
Declaration Phase – Players announce combinations (points, sequences, and sets) to earn points.
Trick-Play Phase – Players play out their hands in a 12-trick game to earn additional points.

Piquet is one of the oldest recorded card games, widely played by the 17th century and mentioned as early as 1535 by Rabelais. While the early versions used a 36-card deck and slightly different rules (such as a 12-card talon and ending the game at 100 points), the modern version described here is based on the authoritative 1882 rules published by Cavendish.

Renowned for its blend of skill, memory, and strategic depth, Piquet remains one of the finest card games designed specifically for two players. This guide outlines the standard rules, scoring methods, and key variations such as Rubicon Piquet and Piquet au Cent, helping both new learners and seasoned players understand how to play Piquet effectively.

Objective

The goal of Piquet is to score more points than your opponent over six deals. Players earn points during three stages of each deal: exchanging cards, making declarations, and winning tricks.

The Deck

32-card French deck: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in each suit
Card ranking: 7 (low) to Ace (high)

Setup

One player is chosen as the dealer.
The dealer shuffles and deals 12 cards to each player.
The remaining 8 cards form the talon, placed face down.

1. Exchange Phase

The non-dealer (called the elder hand) chooses how many cards to discard (up to 5) and draws the same number from the talon.
The dealer then does the same with the remaining cards in the talon.
If the elder hand declares a strong enough hand before the exchange, they may score an early bonus.

2. Declaration Phase

Players compare the following in order:

Point: Who has the most cards in one suit. If tied, the one with the higher total value in that suit wins.
Sequence: The longest consecutive run in one suit (minimum 3 cards).
Set: Sets of three or four cards of the same rank (10s and higher only).

Each declaration has a specific point value. Players reveal only what is necessary to prove they have the best declaration.

3. Trick-Play Phase

Elder hand leads to the first trick.
Players must follow suit if able; otherwise, they may play any card.
Highest card in the suit led wins the trick.
Play continues for 12 tricks.

Points are awarded for:

Each trick won (1 point per trick)
Winning the last trick (1 point)
Winning the majority of tricks (10 points for winning 7+)
Winning all 12 tricks (called a “capot,” worth 40 points)

Additional Bonuses

Pique: If a player scores 30 points before their opponent scores any, they earn 30 extra points.
Repique: If a player scores 30 points during declarations alone (before trick play), they earn 60 extra points.

Ending the Game

After six deals, the player with the highest total score wins the partie. In Rubicon Piquet, a losing player who fails to reach 100 points suffers a greater penalty.

Declarations and Scoring in Piquet

Points for Declarations

1. Point (cards of the same suit)

Must be at least 4 cards.
Player with the most cards in one suit declares it.
Ties are broken by the total value of the cards in the suit.
Score = number of cards (4 to 8 points).

2. Sequence (consecutive cards in one suit)

Minimum 3 cards in a row.
Longest sequence wins; ties go to the higher-ranking sequence.
Only the longest sequence in one suit may be declared.
Scoring:
- Tierce (3 cards): 3 points
- Quart (4 cards): 4 points
- Quint (5 cards): 15 points
- Sixième (6 cards): 16 points
- Septième (7 cards): 17 points
- Huitième (8 cards): 18 points

3. Sets (cards of the same rank)

Only sets of 10s or higher count.
Three of a kind: 3 points
Four of a kind: 14 points
Only the best set is declared. Ties favor the higher-ranked set.

Bonus Scoring

Repique: 60 points for scoring 30+ points during declarations before the opponent scores anything.
Pique: 30 points for reaching 30 before the opponent scores at all.
Capot: 40 points for winning all 12 tricks.
Cards: 1 point per trick taken.
Last Trick: 1 point.
Majority of Tricks: 10 points if a player wins 7 or more.

Total score is tallied after each deal and carried forward. After six deals, the higher total wins.

Variations of Piquet

Rubicon Piquet

Standard rules apply.
If a player fails to score 100 points over six deals, they are said to be “rubiconed.”
The winning player scores their own total plus that of the loser.

Piquet au Cent

The first player to reach 100 points wins, regardless of the number of deals played.
Useful as a quicker or more dynamic format.

Piquet offers a rich combination of strategic planning, memory, and timing. Whether you’re competing in a formal match or casually playing at home, understanding the subtleties of declarations and timing your bonuses is the key to mastering this historic two-player game.