Bid the tricks you expect to take—but your partner has not been chosen yet. The declarer calls a card, revealing a temporary teammate only when that card appears.
Use a 52-card deck for 3–6 players. Ace is high, two low. Deal as evenly as possible; leftovers form a face-down kitty the declarer may collect.
| Players | Deal and maximum bid |
|---|---|
| 3 | 17 each, 1-card kitty; max 17 |
| 4 | 13 each, no kitty; max 13 |
| 5 | 10 each, 2-card kitty; max 10 |
| 6 | 8 each, 4-card kitty; max 8 |
The first player to 52 points wins.
Beginning left of the dealer, players pass or bid a higher number of tricks. A pass removes that player from bidding.
“Amerikaner” is the highest bid: the bidder promises every trick alone and immediately ends the auction.
The winning bidder collects the kitty, discards the same number, names trump, and calls one card. Whoever holds that card becomes the secret partner.
Declarer and partner combine tricks for the contract. An Amerikaner bidder has no partner.
| Event | Points |
|---|---|
| Contract made | Declarer and partner each score the bid |
| Contract missed | Both lose the bid value |
| Other players | 1 per trick |
| Amerikaner made | +60 to declarer |
| Amerikaner missed | −52 to declarer |
Bid from certain high-card winners and long suits rather than hope. Choose trump for length and control.
The partner should help the contract without revealing their identity too early.
The video explains the rules in English. Check your table's house rules before you begin.
Minimum bids, redeals, the value of Amerikaner, and target scores vary. This guide uses 52 points and the scoring shown above.
Nothing up your sleeve—just legal moves that make everyone wonder when you got so sharp.
A modest opening lets you read the table before committing higher.
Call a powerful trump you do not hold so its owner becomes easy to identify.
A long trump suit often wins more tricks than scattered high cards.
The secret partner should avoid revealing the alliance earlier than necessary.
Taking every trick alone requires near-total control.
The player holding the card called by the declarer.
Amerikaner: every trick, taken alone.
Yes. Deal ten each and place two cards in the kitty.
Rules reviewed on 24 September 2026. House rules vary; this page describes one clear standard version.
Bid carefully and hope the called partner card is exactly where you need it.