500

Basic Scoring

• Objective: First team to reach 500 points wins the game (or the team with the most points if both reach 500 in the same hand).
• Tricks: Each team scores points for each trick won during the play phase, depending on the trump suit.
• Bidding: The team that wins the bid must score at least their bid amount to earn points. If they fail, they set back (lose points equal to their bid).

Trick Point Values

Contract Bidding Scores

Penalties and Bonus

• Failed Bid: Subtract the full bid value from the bidding team's score.
• Defending Team: Scores 10 points for each trick they capture, regardless of the bid.

Deck Adjustment by Player Count

500 uses a customized deck of 43, 45, or 63 cards depending on the number of players. Remove or include cards as follows:

• 4 Players (Partnership): Use a 43-card deck. Remove 2s, 3s, and the black 4s (Clubs and Spades).
• 3 Players (Cutthroat): Use a 45-card deck. Remove 2s only.
• 6 Players (Partnership): Use a 63-card deck. Use a standard 52-card deck plus all 2s, 3s, black 4s, and a Joker (or extra 11th card).

Card Ranking

• Suit Ranking (from highest to lowest):

- Joker (highest trump) - Right Bower (Jack of the trump suit) - Left Bower (Jack of the same-colored non-trump suit) - A, K, Q, 10, 9, ... (down to 4, 3, or 2 depending on the deck)

Dealing

• Deal a specific number of cards to each player and place the remainder face-down in the center as the widow.
• Distribute cards in batches (e.g., 3-4-3 or similar dealing pattern based on player count).
• Ensure every player receives their starting hand and the correct widow size is formed.

Your Turn

• Bid or Pass in clockwise order.
• Play a card to the trick if you won the bidding and lead.

Bidding Rules

• Each bid must be higher than the previous bid.
• Bids state the number of tricks and the trump suit.

Suit Order