Klaverjassen is a Dutch card game which is played by four player in teams of two. The players on opposite ends are teammates and the game is played in a clockwise direction. Upon joining a game, a player is free to choose their table position in order to team up with one of the other players. A trump is selected at the start of each round. The player sitting left to the dealer is first to choose. Should a player decide to play the trump that is offered to them, it means they are confident that they and their teammate are able to score over half of the points that round. After playing all 8 cards the round is over and the points will be distributed amongst the two teams.

Basic rules:

  • The first player either plays or passes on the suggested trump. When all players pass the first player can select their preferred trump. Playing the trump, means the player is convinced that they and their teammate are able to score over half of the points that round.
  • Players are required to play the suit that is played first. The highest card wins. If a player is unable to play the current suit, they’re allowed to play a different one.
  • Rotterdam mode rule: When a player can’t play the current suit, playing a trump card is mandatory. Even if your teammate has already played the winning card.
  • Amsterdam mode rule: When a player can’t play the current suit, playing a trump card is not mandatory. You are free to play any card you like.
  • 2x Spades: When Spades is the trump card, all points are doubled.
  • Trump cards have a different card values.
  • Players can score bonus points by collecting Honor: a sequence of cards. Three consecutive cards (7, 8, 9) of the same suit are worth 20 bonus points. Four consecutive cards are worth 50 points. Four similar cards are worth 100 Honor points. The player holding the King and Queen cards with the same suit as the selected trump, is able to claim 20 Honor.
  • The player who collects the cards is allowed to start.
  • The team who chooses the trump at the start of the round must score more than half of the available points. If they don’t succeed, all points will go to the opposite team. Players can earn 162 each round + bonus Honor points.
  • The first team to reach 500, 1000, 1500 or 2000 points wins.