Bid Whist

• 🎴  How to play Bid Whist
• 📜  Bid Whist rules
• ♠️  Bid Whist variations
• ❓  FAQs about Bid Whist

Some card games are slow burns, but Bid Whist** isn’t one of them.** This trick-taking classic packs in bidding wars, clever teamwork, and the occasional backstabbing moment when the cards just don’t go your way. It’s the kind of game that feels competitive even when you’re just playing with friends over a few drinks.

What makes the Bid Whist card game shine is the mix of strategy and unpredictability. It’s got the familiar rhythm of Whist and Spades, but adds a bidding system that can completely flip the outcome. One wrong bid and suddenly you’re staring down a negative score—so don’t get cocky too fast.

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How to Play Bid Whist

At its core, Bid Whist is about winning tricks with your partner and scoring points before the other team does. The bidding phase sets the tone, and once play begins, you’ll need to think fast and plan smarter.

1. Gather your players

Bid Whist is played with four people split into two teams. Sit across from your partner, not beside them.

2. Deal the cards

Each player gets 12 cards, while six cards are set aside as the “kitty.” The kitty goes to the highest bidder later.

3. Start the bidding

Players bid on how many tricks (above six) they think their team can take. A bid of “4 uptown” means you expect 10 tricks, with high cards winning.

4. Understand uptown, downtown, and no trump

• Uptown: high cards win.
• Downtown: low cards win.
• No Trump: no trump suit at all, and bidder decides if high or low wins.

5. Play the tricks

The winning bidder takes the kitty, discards six, and starts play. You must follow the lead suit if you can. If not, you may play a trump card or anything else.

6. Win or lose points

If the bidding team makes their bid, they score. If they fail, they lose points instead. First team to hit +7 points wins (or –7 loses).

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Bid Whist Rules

The game’s structure is simple, but some house rules and tips can really help you get the edge.

1. Play smart with Jokers

Decide upfront which Joker is “Big” and which is “Little.” They’re the most powerful cards in the deck, so track them carefully.

2. Don’t overbid

Ambition is good, but reckless bids will tank your score. Always bid based on what’s in your hand, not just hope.

3. Work with your partner

Bid Whist is a team game—signal through safe plays and trust your partner’s strategy.

4. Watch your opponents

Keep an eye on what cards are being played. If someone is consistently avoiding a suit, you’ll know they’re saving trumps.

5. Manage the kitty wisely

The six kitty cards can make or break your hand. Discard carefully to strengthen your long-term play.

Bid Whist Variations

Bid Whist has been around long enough to develop regional spins and house tweaks. These variations keep things fresh and give you plenty of ways to remix the game.

1. No Kitty Bid Whist

Want a faster, riskier game? Skip the kitty entirely. Everyone just plays with the 12 cards they’re dealt, which makes bidding much tougher.

How to play No Kitty Bid Whist

• Deal 12 cards to each player, no kitty pile.
• Bidding works the same, but the winner doesn’t get a boost from extra cards.
• Success relies on raw hand strength and sharper strategy.

2. Double Deck Bid Whist

Turn up the chaos by using two decks. Twice the cards means bigger hands, wilder plays, and more unpredictable tricks.

How to play Double Deck Bid Whist

• Shuffle two decks together, Jokers included.
• Increase hand size to 16 cards per player.
• The kitty expands too, making discards even more strategic.

3. Cutthroat Bid Whist

Perfect for when you don’t have four players. Everyone plays for themselves, no teams, no partnerships—just pure survival.

How to play Cutthroat Bid Whist

• Deal evenly to 3 players.
• Bidding works the same, but you’re on your own.
• Play continues clockwise, and first to 7 points still wins.

FAQs about Bid Whist

1. What is Bid Whist?

Bid Whist is a trick-taking card game for four players in teams of two. It’s based on Whist but adds bidding, Jokers, and uptown/downtown rules.

2. What’s the goal of the Bid Whist card game?

The aim is to reach 7 points before the other team, or avoid dropping to –7.

3. What are uptown and downtown in Bid Whist?

Uptown means high cards win, downtown means low cards win. The bidder decides this during the bidding phase.

4. How many cards are dealt in Bid Whist?

Each player gets 12 cards, and the leftover 6 form the kitty.

5. How do Jokers work in Bid Whist?

The Big Joker is the highest trump, followed by the Little Joker. Players agree which Joker is which before play begins.