Ulti – Rules

Play Ulti against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Ulti is Hungary's great card game. The highest bidder plays alone against the other two. The special feature: contracts can be combined – e.g. “40-100 Ulti”: reach 100 points with the trump marriage and win the last trick with the trump 7. Each part is settled separately. Hearts (piros) count double.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 32 Hungarian cards: hearts (piros), bells (tök), leaves (zöld), acorns (makk); each 7, 8, 9, 10, Unter, Ober, king, ace.
• Ranking with trumps: ace, 10, king, Ober, Unter, 9, 8, 7.
• Ranking in Betli and Durchmars: ace, king, Ober, Unter, 10, 9, 8, 7.
• Points:

• Total: 90 card points plus marriages.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, talon (2 cards) face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Deal: The player right of the dealer gets 12 cards, the others 10 each.
2. First bid: That player discards 2 cards face down as the talon and announces a contract (at least passz).
3. Overbidding: In turn, each player may pick up the talon, discard 2 cards and announce a higher contract – or pass.
4. End of bidding: When two players pass in a row, the highest bidder plays. They now name trumps.
5. Doubling: Opponents may double (kontra) individual parts of the contract; the declarer may redouble.
6. Start: The declarer leads.

Start example: You receive 12 cards including the Ober, king and 7 of hearts. You discard 2 cards and announce “piros 40-100 Ulti”.

4. Goal and winning

Depending on the contract the declarer must:

• Combinations (e.g. 40-100 Ulti) are allowed; each part is won or lost separately.
• Game: After an agreed number of deals the highest score wins.

5. Play in detail

A trick (must win).

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Follow suit and head the trick if possible.
3. If you can't follow, you must trump (and over-trump if possible).
4. Only with neither suit nor trumps may you discard anything.
5. The highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led.

Ulti rule. A declarer who announced Ulti must keep the trump 7 until the last trick. If they're forced to play it earlier (e.g. having no other trump), the Ulti is lost.

Marriages. Announced and counted before the first trick.

Example with Players 1 to 3. Player 1 plays “piros 40-100 Ulti” (hearts trumps).

1. Player 1 announces his heart marriage: 40 points. For 40-100 he still needs 60 points from tricks.
2. Player 1 draws trumps: ace of hearts, 10 of hearts. Players 2 and 3 must follow and head as best they can.
3. Player 1 keeps the 7 of hearts to the end. In the last trick he leads it – Players 2 and 3 have no trumps left: Ulti won.
4. Player 1 has 70 card points + 40 = 110: 40-100 won. Both parts count double in hearts.

6. Scoring

• Settlement: Each part is settled with both opponents: won = each opponent pays, lost = the declarer pays each.
• Kontra / rekontra: double the part concerned.
• Lost Ulti: usually costs double (8 or 16).

7. Special rules and situations

• Talon: In Betli and Durchmars there are no trumps; the talon doesn't count.
• Ulti without passz: Announcing just “Ulti” includes a passz as well.
• Separate doubles: Each opponent may double for themselves.
• Revoke: Breaking the must-win rules loses all parts of the contract.
• Common mistakes: giving up the trump 7 too early; forgetting that hearts count double; overlooking the must-win rule.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: three players, contracts from passz to 20-100, hearts double, doubling allowed.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with three over 6, 12 or 24 deals; kontra and rekontra can be switched on or off.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Start with passz: Learn the simple game first, then the combinations.
2. Protect the trump 7: For Ulti you need many trumps so the 7 isn't forced out early.
3. Count marriages: A trump marriage (40) is the basis for 40-100.
4. Hearts are expensive: Wins and losses count double.
5. Discard wisely: Discard cards that would cost you tricks.
6. Defenders work together: You play jointly against the declarer.
7. Double with care: Only when you're sure a part will fail.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 32 cards, three players, anticlockwise.
2. Right of the dealer: 12 cards, the others 10.
3. Discard 2 as the talon and announce.
4. Others may take the talon and overbid.
5. The highest bidder names trumps and leads.
6. Follow and head, otherwise trump.
7. Ace and 10 worth 10, last trick 10, marriage 20/40.
8. Contracts: passz, 40-100, Ulti, Betli, Durchmars, 20-100.
9. Settle each part separately; hearts double.
10. Highest score after the agreed deals wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What does “Ulti” mean?

Winning the last trick with the trump 7.

What is 40-100?

Reaching at least 100 points in total with the trump marriage (40).

Can I combine contracts?

Yes. Each part is won or lost and settled separately.

Why do hearts count double?

Hearts (piros) are the honour suit in Ulti – all values double.

Must I play higher?

Yes. Must-win rules apply: follow and head, otherwise trump.

How long does a game take?

About 60 to 90 minutes.

Origin & history

Ulti emerged in Hungary at the beginning of the 20th century from the Czech Mariáš circle. The name comes from the ultimo – winning the last trick with the trump 7. It is regarded as a demanding bidding game with many combinations.