How to Play King
King is a trick-taking compendium game where each deal uses a different contract, so every round feels new. If you want a clear starter guide, this page from Playmore walks you through the basics so you can start playing with friends.
Quick facts
| Game | Typical players | Deck | Family | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| King | 4 | 40 French-suited (reduced from a normal 52-card deck) | Portugal / compendium | Multi-contract avoidance compendium |
What you are trying to do
Across several deals you will play different contracts. Each contract sets a goal to avoid or achieve (for example: avoid taking certain tricks or avoid specific cards). Your score from each contract adds together. The player with the best total after the agreed number of deals wins. Exact contracts, penalties, and scoring vary by region, so your group should check the linked official or regional rules for the exact version you want to play.
What you need and how to set up
Use a 40-card French-suited deck. This is a reduced setup made from a normal 52-card deck by removing a set of ranks — check your house rules or the official version to know which ranks to take out.
Sit around a table with four players. Choose a dealer at random. Decide whether you will: rotate through a fixed list of contracts, let the dealer choose each deal, or follow a published sequence. Also agree before you start how many deals make a full game (common choices are the number of unique contracts times rounds).
How to play
- Deal: The dealer shuffles and deals the full hand for the chosen contract (usually all cards are dealt equally).
- Declare or select contract: Either the contract is determined by position in a preset rotation or the dealer announces which contract applies that deal. Contracts change what you should avoid or win.
- Lead and follow: The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if able. If you can’t follow suit, most versions let you discard any card, but special contracts may change this rule.
- Trick winner: The rules for which card wins a trick (and whether any trumps exist) are contract-dependent; in standard trick-play the highest card of the led suit wins unless a contract modifies it.
- Collect and score: Players keep cards or mark taken penalties during the deal. After all tricks are played, tally penalties or points according to that contract’s scoring rules.
- Next deal: Pass the dealer role (or follow your rotation) and play the next contract until your agreed set of deals is complete.
How a round or game ends
A single round is one deal played under a single contract. A full game normally includes multiple rounds that cover every contract in the compendium, often once per player or according to a preset sequence. After the agreed number of rounds, add each player’s scores from every contract. Lowest total or highest total wins depending on whether contracts give penalty points or positive points—this is version-dependent. Check your chosen rule set for exact scoring and the winning condition.
Beginner tips
- Pay attention to which contracts have already been played. That helps you plan which cards to keep or dump in future deals.
- If a contract penalizes certain cards, try to get rid of them early when you can follow suit or when it’s safe to renege.
- Watch other players’ discards and won tricks. They tell you what suits they lack and what they are protecting.
- Agree on scoring and the exact contract list before you start. That stops arguments later.
- Start with a simple rotation of contracts so everyone learns each type before trying house variations.
FAQ
How many different contracts are there?
King is usually a multi-contract compendium with several named contracts. The exact number varies by version, so check the official or regional rules your group follows.
Which cards do I remove to make a 40-card deck?
Different regions remove different ranks to make 40 cards. Use a normal 52-card deck and remove the ranks your chosen rule set specifies.
Can we change penalties for fun?
Yes. House rules are common. Just tell everyone the changes before you begin and keep a written note so scoring stays fair.