How to play Bezique

Objective

Score the most points from melds and high-value cards in tricks.

Setup

1. 1

   Combine two 32-card packs containing 7 through ace. Deal eight each.

2. 2

   Turn the next card for trump and leave the remaining stock available.

How play works

1. 1

   Play tricks without a following obligation while stock remains; winner draws first.

2. 2

   After winning a trick, expose one eligible meld from cards in hand.

3. 3

   Once stock is exhausted, follow suit and trump when required.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   Score marriages, trump sequences, four-of-a-kind combinations, bezique, and trick counters.

2. 2

   The queen of spades plus jack of diamonds is bezique; holding both copies of each is double bezique.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   Cards already exposed may sometimes participate in another meld if the combination changes.

2. 2

   Use a scoring reference because meld values are central.