The card game of 500 is a trick-taking game. There is a variation on the rules of 500. The most common game usually consists of 4 players playing in partnerships of 2, although the game can be played with 2-6 players. A breakdown on how to play the game with 2, 3, 5 and 6 players will be noted later on.
When playing in groups of 4, a deck of 43 cards is used. A joker is included and the 2’s, 3’s, and black 4’s are removed. 10 cards are then dealt to each player and 3 cards are dealt face-down on the playing surface to form the “kitty” (also known as the “widow” and the “blind”). If a deck of 45 cards is used, the 4’s are not removed, each player is still dealt 10 cards and the “kitty” gets 5 cards instead of 3.
In non-trump suits the order of the cards is: A, K, Q, and J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 (and 4 depending on the deck used). In a trump suit, the highest card is the joker which is followed by the jack of trump (right bower) and then the jack of the suit that is the same color as the trump suit (left bower).
The left bower is considered part of the trump suit. With the trump suit, the order of the cards from highest to lowest is: Joker, Right Bower, Left Bower, A, K, Q, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, (and 4 depending on the deck used).
Bidding:
Each set of partners bid on the total number of tricks combined between them they think they may have in their hand, which suit will be the trump or if there will be a trump used. Bidding is done going clockwise around the playing surface. Each player makes a higher-scoring bid or passes.
The Game:
The main focus of the game is on the tricks. Usually, the player to the dealer’s left starts the lead. Players must try to follow suit if they can, including the left bower or any other card that is considered a trump card, if trump cards are led. If a player does not have any of the cards of the suit that is led, he/she can play any card in his/her hand.
After all four players have played their card; the highest trump takes the trick. The winner of the trick leads the next trick. Once all ten tricks are played, the hand is scored. For the next hand, the player on the left of the dealer for the previous hand is the dealer. This continues so that the deal moves in a clockwise direction around the playing surface.
For 2, 3, 5 and 6 players:
The number of players can be anything from 2 against each other, 3 against each other, 2 partnerships of 2 with 1 dealer, 2 against 3 and 2 partnerships of 3. The card decks used will vary depending on the amount of players in a game. 2-3 players use a 33 card deck with cards A-7 in each suit plus the joker.
5 players use the standard 52 pack plus a joker. 6 players use a special 62 card deck which has “spot cards” numbered 11 and 12 in each suit, 13 in each of 2 suits, 13 hearts and 13 diamonds. The joker is optional.
Oscar
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