Femkort – Rules
Play Femkort against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Femkort ("five cards") |
| Type | Trick-taking game without trumps – only the last trick counts |
| Players | 2–8, usually 3–5 |
| Recommended age | 7 and up |
| Playing time | one deal 1–2 minutes; a game 10–20 minutes |
| Material | 52 French cards, chips or matchsticks |
| Goal | Win the fifth and last trick – only that one counts. |
| Difficulty | easy |
What is it about? Femkort is a quick Swedish card game you can explain in seconds. Everyone gets five cards, and only the last trick decides. The art lies in keeping your strongest card to the end – and still winning the fourth trick so that you lead yourself.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 52 French cards, ace high, 2 low.
- No trumps, no card points.
- Pot: chips or matchsticks for the stake.
- Face up and face down: Hands concealed, tricks face up.
3. Preparation and start
- Stake: Everyone pays an agreed stake into the pot.
- Dealing: Everyone gets 5 cards.
- Start: The player left of the dealer leads.
Start example: You hold the ace and 3 of spades, the 7 of hearts, the 9 of diamonds and the 5 of clubs. You keep the ace of spades for the last trick.
4. Goal and winning
- A deal: Whoever takes the fifth trick wins the pot.
- Game: The first to win three deals wins.
5. Play in detail
A trick.
- The leader plays any card.
- Follow suit and play higher if you can.
- A player who can't follow discards any card – even a high one; but it can't win the trick.
- The highest card of the suit led wins; the winner leads.
Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.
- In the fourth trick Player 1 leads the 3 of spades. Player 2 plays the 8 of spades, Player 4 the 10 of spades, Player 3 has no spades.
- Player 4 wins the fourth trick and leads to the last: queen of hearts.
- Player 1 has no hearts left and discards his ace of spades – it doesn't count.
- Player 3 plays the king of hearts and wins the deal.
6. Scoring
| Result | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Last trick won | deal won, pot |
| Other tricks | count nothing |
- Recording: Deals won per player.
7. Special rules and situations
- Playing higher is compulsory: Whoever can follow must play higher if they can.
- Discarding: Without the suit you may discard any card – it never wins.
- Better cards (variant): Before the last trick you may ask for new cards; if everyone agrees, the cards are redealt.
- Common mistakes: playing your best card too early; not thinking about the fourth trick.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 5 cards, no trumps, game to 3 deals won.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| To 5 deals | Longer game. | more time |
| Trick winners only | Only those who won a trick earlier play the last. | a change |
| Redeal | Ask for better cards. | family rounds |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to seven computer opponents (standard: four players), game to 3 or 5 deals won.
9. Tips for beginners
- Best card last: An ace in the last trick almost always wins.
- Take the fourth trick: Then you lead to the last.
- Play low: Use small cards in the first tricks.
- Remember suits: Discards show who is out of which suit.
- A long suit for the end: Then you won't have to discard.
- Playing higher is compulsory: Plan for it.
- Fun first: Femkort is quick – just play another round.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 52 cards, 2–8 players.
- Stake into the pot.
- 5 cards each.
- No trumps.
- The player left of the dealer leads.
- Follow suit and play higher if possible.
- Otherwise discard anything.
- The highest card of the suit wins.
- Only the fifth trick counts.
- The first to win three deals wins the game.
11. Frequently asked questions
Do the first four tricks count?
No, only the fifth.
Must I play higher?
Yes, if you can follow and play higher.
Can a discarded card win?
No, only cards of the suit led.
Are there trumps?
No.
How do you win the game?
With three deals won.
How long does a game take?
About 10 to 20 minutes.
Origin & history
Femkort (“five cards”) has been known since the 17th century: “Fämkort” is already mentioned in 1658 in Georg Stiernhielm's poem “Herkules”. It is traditionally played for a small stake. Related games such as Chicago and Toepen are also decided by the last trick.