Swedish whist – Rules

Play Swedish whist against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Svensk whist is a Swedish form of whist with no trumps at all. The special feature is the bidding: everyone shows a red or black card. Red means "we'll take tricks" (spel), black means pass. If everyone shows black, it's reversed: in "nollspel" each team wants as few tricks as possible.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards, ace high, 2 low.
• No trumps.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, bidding card briefly shown, tricks face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 13 cards.
2. Bidding card: Everyone places a red or black card at the bottom of their hand.
3. Bidding: In turn, starting left of the dealer, everyone shows this card.
4. Start: The player left of the dealer leads.

Start example: You hold three aces and two kings. You show a red card – spel.

4. Goal and winning

• Spel: The bidding team needs at least 7 tricks.
• Nollspel: Each team wants as few tricks as possible.
• Game: The first team to 13 points wins (or 7).

5. Play in detail

Bidding.

1. Black means pass – the next player shows their card.
2. Red means "spel" – bidding ends, and the bidder's team must take at least 7 tricks.
3. If all four show black, nollspel is played.
4. The card shown stays in hand and is played normally.

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Following suit is compulsory.
3. The highest card of the suit led wins.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Players 1 and 4 against Players 2 and 3. Player 3 deals; bidding order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.

1. Player 1 shows red – spel. Bidding is over.
2. Player 1 leads the ace of clubs, everyone follows: trick to Player 1.
3. At the end Players 1 and 4 have 9 tricks.
4. Score: 9 − 6 = 3 points for Players 1 and 4.

6. Scoring

• Recording: Points per team.

7. Special rules and situations

• Only red or only black cards: Then the bid is fixed.
• Bidding card: It is a perfectly normal card and is played later.
• Nollspel: Shed high cards early when you don't have to follow.
• Common mistakes: showing red with a mediocre hand; holding aces to the end in nollspel.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 4 players, no trumps, game to 13.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with the player opposite as your partner against two computer opponents, game to 13 or 7 points.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Red with aces: Aces and kings or a long suit justify the bid.
2. Black when in doubt: Passing beats failing – that costs double.
3. Watch your partner: Their bidding card reveals a lot.
4. Lead long suits: Without trumps, small cards become tricks at the end.
5. Nollspel: Discard high cards when you don't have to follow.
6. Keep count: Which aces and kings have gone?
7. Think together: Return your partner's suit.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, two teams, 13 cards each.
2. No trumps.
3. Everyone chooses a red or black bidding card.
4. Show in turn: black passes, red = spel.
5. All black: nollspel.
6. The player left of the dealer leads.
7. Follow suit; the highest card wins.
8. Spel: 7+ tricks needed, 1 point per trick over 6.
9. Missed: opponents 2 per trick over 6.
10. The first team to 13 points wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

Are there trumps?

No.

What does red mean?

"Spel" – your team wants at least seven tricks.

What happens if everyone shows black?

Nollspel is played – as few tricks as possible.

Does the bidding card stay in play?

Yes, it is played later as normal.

Why does a missed spel cost double?

The opponents score 2 points per trick over six.

How long does a game take?

To 13 points about 45 to 60 minutes.

Origin & history

Swedish whist arose in Sweden in the 1950s and first appeared in print in 1967; it may go back to the old Swedish game of Priffe. It was very popular in Sweden in the 1970s and 1980s. Its special feature is bidding with a red or black card instead of words.