Last Updated on April 18, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Zetema is a unique and historic card game from the 19th century, blending elements of trick-taking and strategic hand management. Played with a custom 65-card deck, Zetema challenges players to outmaneuver their opponents through a mix of skill, memory, and tactical decision-making. The game can be played by two to six players, but it is most commonly enjoyed as a two-player duel or a four-player partnership game.

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How to Play Zetema

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Objective

For two or three players, the objective is to be the first to reach 300 points over multiple hands. In games with four or more players, the target score is 200 points.

Setup

Zetema is played with a 65-card deck: a standard 52-card deck plus an extra suit from a second deck, known as the imperial suit. Typically, the 13 Spades from a second deck are used for consistency.

• For two to five players, each receives six cards.
• In a six-player game, each player gets five cards.
• The following rules assume a six-card hand.

Gameplay

Each turn consists of three steps:

1. Draw enough cards to restore your hand to six cards.
2. Play one valid combination (optional).
3. Discard one card to the tableau.

The Tableau

The tableau consists of 13 separate piles, one for each rank. Discards are placed face-up in staggered stacks so all cards remain visible.

Scoring Combinations

Players can score one combination per turn:

Type	Description	Points
Sequence	Six cards in numerical order	10
Flush	Six cards of the same suit	30
Flush Sequence	Six suited cards in numerical order	50
Assembly	Five cards of the same rank	See table below
Marriage	King and Queen of the same suit	See table below

Assemblies

Rank	Points
Kings or Queens	130
Jacks	120
Aces or 5s	110
All other ranks	100

Marriages

Number of Marriages	Points
1	10
2	30
3	60
4	100
5	150

If a second marriage in the imperial suit is declared, it scores an extra 10 points. Declaring both at once earns an additional 20 points, which is already factored into the 150-point total for five marriages.

To score, reveal the combination, record the points, then discard one card from the meld to the tableau. Marriages follow a special rule: you may use cards from the tableau, but at least one must come from your hand. Once scored, all marriage cards are placed in a separate discard pile, not part of the tableau.

Scoring Zetemas

If a player discards a fifth card of the same rank to the tableau, they score a zetema:

Zetema	Points
Kings or Queens	50
Jacks	20
Aces or 5s	15
All other ranks	5

Once a zetema is scored, those cards are placed face-down in a special zetema discard pile and no longer participate in the game.

Ending a Hand

When the stockpile is empty, players continue without drawing, discarding to the tableau and scoring zetemas where possible. Players unable to make a move drop out.

In a two-player game, if a zetema is completed after the stock is depleted, the player must discard again and continue until their discard does not complete a zetema.

The game ends immediately when a player reaches 200 or 300 points, even if the current hand is still in progress.

Zetema Strategy

• Declaring a single marriage prevents anyone from scoring a zetema for Kings or Queens.
• Assemblies yield high scores but can clog your hand.
• Marriages can be declared gradually or all at once; declaring more at once increases points but carries the risk of losing needed Kings or Queens to an opponent.
• The imperial suit enhances the chances of forming flushes, sequences, and flush sequences, making them a strong strategy.
• Pay attention to opponent discards to anticipate their strategies and determine unavailable cards.
• Choosing between assemblies, marriages, or suit-based strategies depends on balancing risk, hand flexibility, and scoring efficiency.

Zetema offers a rich and engaging challenge for those who enjoy deep strategy and tactical decision-making. With its blend of traditional trick-taking mechanics and unique special effects, Zetema remains a fascinating game for players who love strategy-driven card play.