Sedma – Rules

Play Sedma against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Sedma is an unusual Czech trick-taking game: suits and ranking don't matter. A trick is won by whoever last plays a card of the same rank as the card led. Sevens always match – they are the game's wild cards. Only aces and tens score points.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 32 cards: four suits with 7, 8, 9, 10, Unter, Ober, king, ace.
• Suits: don't matter.
• Sevens: match any rank.
• Points:

• Total: 90 points.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, stock face down, tricks face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Shuffle and cut.
2. Deal: Everyone gets 4 cards; the rest is the stock.
3. Start: The player left of the dealer leads.
4. Drawing: After each trick everyone refills to 4 cards – the trick winner first.

Start example: Player 2 deals 4 cards each to Player 1 and himself. Player 1 leads.

4. Goal and winning

• A deal: The player (or team) with at least 50 points wins.
• Game: Whoever first reaches an agreed score (e.g. 5).

5. Play in detail

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Every other player plays any card. There is no need to follow suit.
3. A card beats the trick if it has the same rank as the card led – or is a seven.
4. The trick goes to whoever beat it last. If nobody did, the leader wins.

Continuing a trick. If after a round the trick is held by an opponent, the leader may continue: they play another card of the same rank or a seven, and everyone else plays one card again. They may also stop – then the trick goes to the opponent.

Example with Players 1 and 2.

1. Player 1 leads the 10 of hearts. Player 2 plays the 7 of clubs – the seven beats, Player 2 is winning.
2. Player 1 continues with the 10 of spades. Now Player 1 is winning.
3. Player 2 has no more 10s or 7s and plays the 8 of diamonds.
4. Trick to Player 1: 10 of hearts, 7 of clubs, 10 of spades, 8 of diamonds = 20 points.
5. Player 1 draws first, then Player 2, until each has 4 cards again.

6. Scoring

• Recording: One column per player or team.
• End: Whoever first reaches the target.

7. Special rules and situations

• Four players: Partners opposite; each round of a trick then has four cards.
• Stock empty: Play on without drawing until all cards are played.
• Continue only with a match: Whoever continues must play an equal rank or a seven.
• Last trick: scores 10 points.
• Common mistakes: using sevens too early; leading aces and tens unprotected.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: two or four players, 4 hand cards, game to 5 points.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with two or four (partner opposite), to 3, 5 or 10 points.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Sevens are gold: With a seven you win almost any important trick.
2. Protect aces and tens: Lead them when you hold a second equal card or a seven.
3. Shed worthless cards: 8s, 9s and face cards are good for giving tricks away.
4. Keep count: There are only four sevens – remember how many are gone.
5. Continuing pays: If points lie in the trick, fight on with matching cards.
6. Last trick: 10 points – keep a seven.
7. With four: Give your partner points when they surely win the trick.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 32 cards, 4 cards each.
2. Suits don't count.
3. Lead any card.
4. Same rank or a seven beats.
5. Whoever beats last wins the trick.
6. The leader may continue with a matching card.
7. Refill to 4 cards after each trick.
8. Ace and 10 worth 10, last trick 10.
9. At least 50 points win the deal.
10. 1, 2 or 3 points; first to the target wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

Must I follow suit?

No. In Sedma suits don't matter at all.

What does the seven do?

It counts as any rank and therefore always beats.

Who wins a trick?

Whoever last played a card of the same rank or a seven.

What does “continue” mean?

If an opponent holds the trick, the leader may start a new round within the same trick with another matching card.

How many points are there?

90: eight aces and tens worth 10 each and 10 for the last trick.

How long does a deal take?

Four to six minutes.

Origin & history

Sedma (“seven”) appeared in the middle of the 20th century and quickly became one of the most popular card games in Czechoslovakia – alongside Prší and Žolíky. What's special: suits and ranking don't matter; all that counts is who matches. Related games include Sedmice in the Balkans and Zsíros in Hungary.