Hokm – Rules
Play Hokm against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Hokm (حکم, “command”) |
| Type | Trick-taking game with trumps and partners |
| Players | 4, two teams, partners opposite |
| Recommended age | 10 and up |
| Playing time | one hand 3–5 minutes; a game to 7 points 30–45 minutes |
| Material | 52 cards, pen and paper |
| Goal | Be the first team to take 7 tricks in each hand and to reach 7 points. |
| Difficulty | easy |
What is it about? Hokm is Iran's most popular card game. One player, the “hakem” (ruler), looks at their first five cards and picks the trump suit from them. Then everyone receives the rest of their 13 cards. The team that first takes seven tricks wins the hand – taking all seven in a row is a “kot”.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 52 French cards without jokers.
- Ranking (high → low): A, K, Q, J, 10 … 2.
- Trumps: the suit chosen by the hakem (“hokm”).
- No card points: Only tricks count.
- Face up and face down: Hands concealed, tricks face down.
3. Preparation and start
- Choosing the hakem: The dealer deals cards face up in turn; whoever gets the first ace is hakem. After that the hakem stays as long as their team wins hands; otherwise the right-hand neighbour becomes hakem.
- First 5 cards: The hakem receives 5 cards and names the trump suit.
- Dealing the rest: Everyone is dealt up to 13 cards.
- Start: The hakem leads to the first trick.
Start example: You are hakem. Among your first 5 cards are the ace, king and 9 of spades. You choose spades as hokm.
4. Goal and winning
- Hand: The team that first takes 7 tricks wins the hand. The remaining cards aren't played.
- Kot: A team wins the first 7 tricks without the opponents taking any.
- Game: The first team to 7 points wins.
5. Play in detail
A trick.
- The leader plays any card.
- Follow suit if possible.
- A player who can't follow may trump or discard anything.
- The highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led.
- The winner leads.
Example with Players 1 to 4. Spades are trumps, Player 1 is hakem. Players 1 and 4 against Players 2 and 3. Order: Player 1, 3, 4, 2.
- Player 1 leads the ace of spades. Everyone must follow with spades – the opponents lose trumps.
- Player 1 leads the king of hearts. Player 3 plays the ace of hearts and wins.
- Player 3 leads the queen of diamonds. Player 4 has no diamonds and trumps with the 3 of spades. Player 2 follows with the 5 of diamonds.
- Play continues until one team has 7 tricks.
6. Scoring
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Hand won (7 tricks) | 1 |
| Kot by the hakem's team | 2 |
| Kot against the hakem | 3 |
- Recording: Marks per team.
- End: First team to 7 points.
7. Special rules and situations
- End of hand: As soon as a team has 7 tricks, the hand is over.
- Changing hakem: If the hakem's team loses, the next player (anticlockwise) becomes hakem.
- Revoke: Failing to follow when you could loses the hand for your team.
- Three players (variant): Everyone for themselves, 17 cards; first to 7 tricks wins.
- Common mistakes: drawing trumps too late; taking tricks away from your partner; not counting tricks.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 4 players in teams, the hakem chooses after 5 cards, game to 7.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 5 points | Shorter game. | little time |
| Three players | Everyone for themselves, no partners. | three players |
| Six players | Three against three, more cards. | large groups |
| Play all tricks | Continue after 7 tricks; overtricks count. | a change |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with the player opposite as your partner to 7 or 5 points; play is anticlockwise.
9. Tips for beginners
- Trumps with aces: As hakem choose the suit where you hold ace and king.
- Draw trumps: Lead trumps early so the opponents can't trump.
- Short suits: If you lack a suit, you can trump it.
- Watch your partner: Return their suits.
- Count tricks: At 6 tricks every trick is decisive.
- Cash aces: Play side-suit aces early.
- Against the hakem: Lead suits where they're weak.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 52 cards, two teams, anticlockwise.
- The first ace dealt decides the hakem.
- The hakem sees 5 cards and chooses trumps.
- Everyone gets 13 cards.
- The hakem leads.
- Follow suit, else trump or discard.
- Highest trump or highest card of the suit wins.
- First to 7 tricks: hand won (1 point).
- Kot: 2 points, against the hakem 3.
- First team to 7 points wins.
11. Frequently asked questions
What is the hakem?
The player who chooses trumps after seeing their first five cards.
Must I trump?
No. A player who can't follow may trump or discard.
Are all 13 tricks played?
No. As soon as a team has 7 tricks, the hand ends.
What is a kot?
Seven tricks without the opponents taking any.
Who is the next hakem?
If the hakem's team wins, they stay; otherwise their neighbour becomes hakem.
How long does a game take?
To 7 points about 30 to 45 minutes.
Origin & history
Hokm ('command') is the most popular card game in Iran and a relative of whist. The hakem ('ruler') determines the trump suit after looking at their first five cards.