Kaiser — Rules & how to play
Around the table · 2026 edition
Four players in teams of two bid, take tricks, and score with a modified deck. First to 52 wins.
Download printable rules (PDF)
At a glance
- Players: 4, in two teams
- Play time: 45 minutes
- Ages: 12+
- Style: Strategy
- Plays with: Cards
Objective
Be the first team to 52 points or more. Points come from tricks and the 5 of Hearts; the 3 of Spades costs points.
Components
- Wooden game board
- Six marking pegs: two sets of three, each a different colour
- One small storage bag
- You also need a standard deck of cards, not included in the box.
Setup
- Build a deck using 7s through Aces. Replace the 7 of Spades with the 3 of Spades, and the 7 of Hearts with the 5 of Hearts.
- Partners sit opposite each other. Choose the first dealer at random; the deal passes left after each round.
- Deal eight cards to each player, one at a time. A player holding no Ace, no face card, and neither the 3 nor the 5 may call for a redeal.
Cards rank Ace high, then K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, and the 7, 5, or 3 low. The 5 of Hearts is worth five points to the team that wins its trick; the 3 of Spades costs that team three points.
Bidding
Starting left of the dealer, each player bids once. Bid the number of points your team commits to winning, from 6 to 12; each bid must beat the last. A no-trump bid outranks the same number with a suit named. The dealer alone may match the top bid to take it. If all pass, the dealer must bid at least 6.
Playing the hand
- The highest bidder names trump or no-trump, then leads the first trick. Play clockwise.
- Follow suit if possible. Otherwise play any card, including trump.
- The highest trump wins, or the highest card of the suit led if no trump was played. The winner leads the next trick.
Scoring
- Earn one point per trick, plus five for the 5 of Hearts, minus three for the 3 of Spades.
- Make your bid and score everything earned. Fall short and lose that amount instead.
- No-trump doubles both the gain and the loss.
- The defending team scores normally unless already on 45 or more. From there it can only lose points, and only to the 3 of Spades.
Winning
The first team to 52 points or more wins.
Made in Canada · 2026 edition