Tablić – Rules

Play Tablić against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Tablić is a classic in Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and neighbouring countries. With a hand card you capture table cards of the same value – or several groups that each add up exactly to its value. Clearing the whole table is a “tabla”. At the end, tens, face cards and aces count most.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards without jokers.
• Capture values:

• Face up and face down: Hand cards concealed, table cards face up, captured cards face down; a tabla is marked with a card placed crosswise.

3. Preparation and start

1. Shuffle and cut.
2. Deal: Everyone gets 6 cards; in the first deal 4 cards also go face up on the table.
3. Start: The player after the dealer begins.
4. Dealing again: When all hands are empty, everyone gets 6 new cards – no new table cards.

Start example: Player 2 deals. The table shows 2, 5, 7 and a queen. Player 1 holds a 7 and five other cards.

4. Goal and winning

• Hand: Lasts until all 52 cards have been played.
• Game: The first to 101 points wins.
• Tie: Play another hand.

5. Play in detail

A turn. You play exactly one card:

1. Capture: All table cards of the same value and all groups whose total equals your card's value – several groups at once are allowed.
2. Lay down: If you can't or don't want to capture, place the card face up on the table.
3. Tabla: If you capture all table cards, that's a tabla: 1 point.

End of the hand. Whoever captured last takes the remaining table cards (not a tabla).

Example with Players 1 and 2. Table: 2, 5, 7, queen (13).

1. Player 1 plays his 7 and captures the 7 (same value) and the group 2 + 5 – both at once.
2. Only the queen is left. Player 2 plays a queen and captures it: the table is empty – tabla for Player 2.
3. Now Player 1 must place a card on the empty table. Better a low card without points than a 10.

6. Scoring

• Total without tablas: 22 points per hand.
• Recording: One column per player or team.

7. Special rules and situations

• Ace: May count as 1 or 11 – whichever gains more.
• Several groups: With a 7 you can, for example, capture a 7 and the group 2 + 5 at the same time.
• Tabla at the end: Clearing the table with the last card of the hand isn't a tabla.
• Wrong capture: Put the cards back.
• Common mistakes: forgetting that face cards have number values; leaving the opponent an easy tabla.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: two players, 6 hand cards, 4 table cards, game to 101.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with two to four players (with four, partners opposite), to 101 or 51 points.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Tens and face cards: They score points – take them whenever you can.
2. 10 of diamonds and 2 of clubs: These two are especially valuable.
3. Look for groups: High cards (face cards 12–14) often capture several groups.
4. Don't give away a tabla: After your turn, leave no easily cleared card.
5. Many cards: 3 points for most cards are a lot.
6. Flexible ace: Use the choice between 1 and 11.
7. Keep count: Remember which values are gone.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards; 6 each, 4 face up on the table.
2. Ace 1/11, jack 12, queen 13, king 14.
3. Play one card.
4. Capture equal values and groups with a matching total.
5. Several groups at once are allowed.
6. Otherwise lay the card down.
7. Table empty: tabla (1 point).
8. Empty hands: 6 new cards each.
9. The rest goes to the last capturer.
10. Count points; first to 101 wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is a face card worth?

Jack 12, queen 13, king 14 – for capturing. In the scoring each face card is worth 1 point.

Can I capture several groups at once?

Yes, as long as each group adds up exactly to your card's value.

What is a tabla?

Clearing all table cards with one card. It scores 1 point.

Which cards are especially valuable?

The 10 of diamonds (2 points), the 2 of clubs (1 point), all tens, face cards and aces.

How many points per hand?

22, plus tablas.

How long does a game take?

To 101 points about 40 to 60 minutes.

Origin & history

Tablić is a classic in cafés and families in the Balkans – the rules are passed on by word of mouth, and there is hardly a fixed rulebook. It is related to the Romanian and Bulgarian Tablanet. It takes its name from the “tabla”: clearing the table.