How to Play Hokm
Hokm is a fast, social trick-taking card game that works great with friends. This guide gives a friendly, step-by-step start so you can try your first hands right away — and you can find more beginner guides at Playmore.
Quick facts
| Game | Players | Deck | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokm | 4 (two fixed partners) | Standard 52-card deck (normal deck) | Iranian fixed-partnership trick-taking game |
What you are trying to do
Players form two teams sitting opposite each other. Each hand, one suit becomes the hokm (trump). You and your partner try to win more tricks than the opposing pair. Win tricks by playing the highest card of the suit led or by playing trump to beat other suits.
What you need and how to set up
You need one normal 52-card deck. Four players sit around a table with partners opposite. Decide a dealer at random. How you deal and who gets to choose the hokm varies by region. Many groups deal full hands so each player has 13 cards, but groups use different deal procedures tied to how hokm is chosen. Check the authoritative regional rules for the exact procedure your group wants to play.
How to play
- Deal the cards using your group's chosen method so each player has a hand for the round.
- Someone selects the hokm (trump) after the deal according to your deal procedure. That suit is trump for the whole hand.
- The leader (the player who starts) plays any card from their hand. Play proceeds clockwise.
- When a suit is led, players must follow that suit if they can. If you cannot follow suit, you may discard any card or play a trump to try to win the trick.
- The trick is won by the highest card of the suit led unless one or more trumps are played; then the highest trump wins the trick.
- The winner of each trick leads the next trick. Continue until all cards are played.
- After the hand, teams count the tricks they won. Scoring and how many hands make a match are version-dependent, so agree on those details before you start.
How a round or game ends
A single round (hand) ends when all tricks have been played and every player has no cards left. Matches are usually several hands long. Exact scoring, victory totals, and any special penalties vary by group or published rule set. Check the authoritative or regional rules you trust for the precise scoring method you want to use.
Beginner tips
- Watch suits that get played a lot and remember which suits people are short in.
- Count how many trumps are played; it helps you judge when to play your own trumps.
- Lead from strengths. If you and your partner share a long suit, lead it to force opponents to use trumps early.
- Pay attention to your partner's plays. Legal card play is the only allowed communication, so learn to read signals from the cards they choose.
- Agree on any house rules before play, especially how hokm is chosen and how scoring works.
FAQ
Who chooses the hokm (trump)?
That depends on the deal procedure your group uses. In many versions a designated player chooses right after the initial deal. Ask your group or follow the regional rule set you prefer.
What if I can't follow suit?
If you cannot follow suit, you usually may discard any card or play a trump to try to win the trick. Exact restrictions can vary, so confirm with your players before the first hand.
How do partners sit and work together?
Partners sit opposite. You try to win tricks together by leading suits that help your team and protecting your partner's strengths. Remember, only legal plays are valid signals.