How to Play Bonken
Bonken is a fun Dutch trick-taking game with changing goals each hand. Read this friendly starter guide from Playmore and you can be ready to play your first rounds in minutes.
| Quick facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Bonken |
| Type / family | Local Dutch trick/penalty game |
| Typical players | 4 |
| Deck / components | 32 French-suited cards (a reduced deck made from a normal 52‑card set) |
What you are trying to do
Bonken mixes different small challenges across several hands. Some deals punish taking certain tricks or suits. Other deals reward taking tricks. Your aim is to win the fewest penalty points overall by understanding each hand's goal and playing to it.
Exact contracts and scoring can vary by region. Check the linked official or regional rules for the exact version your group prefers.
What you need and how to set up
You need a 32-card, French-suited pack. Make that by removing the 2–6 cards from a standard 52-card deck so cards run 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in each suit.
Shuffle well and deal eight cards to each player (32 cards ÷ 4 players). Decide who deals first at random. Play usually proceeds clockwise and the dealer rotates each hand. Many groups play a fixed sequence of contracts so everyone knows what comes next.
How to play
- Pick the contract for the hand. Bonken uses different contracts across rounds (for example: avoid certain suits, avoid taking tricks, or aim to take tricks). Your group should agree the list or follow a common sequence.
- Deal the cards so each player has eight cards. The player left of the dealer typically leads the first trick.
- The leader plays one card. Play proceeds clockwise. Players must follow suit if they can. If you cannot follow suit, you may play any card (how off-suit cards are scored can depend on the contract).
- The trick is won by the highest card of the suit led unless a contract names a trump suit. The trick winner collects the cards and leads the next trick.
- Continue until all eight tricks are played. Tally any penalties or rewards based on that hand's contract. Keep a running score for each player across the full game.
How a round or game ends
A single round ends after the eight tricks are played and points for that contract are recorded. The full game usually ends after a predetermined set of hands or when everyone has been dealer a set number of times. Scoring totals and tie rules are version-dependent, so check your agreed rule set for exact endings and point values.
Beginner tips
- Listen and watch: notice which suits players cannot follow. That tells you when to force them to play bad cards.
- Save certain cards: keep a high card in a suit you expect to need, unless the contract makes high cards dangerous.
- Play for the hand's goal: what wins in one contract can be a disaster in another. Change your mindset each deal.
- Keep score clearly. Penalties add up fast in Bonken, so track points after every hand.
- Start with a fixed contract order. It helps new players learn slowly instead of choosing contracts mid-game.
FAQ
What deck exactly do I need?
Use a 32-card French-suited deck made from a normal 52-card set by removing 2–6 in each suit. You do not need a special commercial deck.
How many people can play?
Bonken is normally played by four players. That fits the 32-card deal of eight cards per player.
Where can I find the exact contracts and scoring?
Regional and house rules vary. For the precise contracts, card rankings, and scoring used in your area, check the linked authoritative or regional rules your group prefers.