Oh Hell
Cards Used
Oh Hell is played with a standard 52-card deck. It works best with 3 to 7 players. The number of cards dealt changes each round, starting high and gradually decreasing (or increasing again, depending on the version being played).
Aim of the Game
The aim of Oh Hell is to correctly predict how many tricks you will win each round, then win exactly that number. Players who match their prediction score points, while those who miss it lose out.
Point Scoring
Scoring is based on accuracy: if you correctly predict the number of tricks you will win, you earn points (commonly 10 points plus the number of tricks won). If you are wrong, you usually score 0 points for that round. The player with the highest total score at the end of all rounds wins the game.
How to Deal
The dealer gives each player a set number of cards depending on the round. Typically, the game starts with a higher number of cards and reduces each round (for example, 7 cards per player, then 6, then 5, and so on). One card is then turned face up to determine the trump suit for that round, which beats all other suits.
Gameplay
- 1
Before each round begins, players must bid (predict) how many tricks they think they will win based on their hand.
- 2
The player to the dealer’s left starts the first trick by playing a card, and other players must follow suit if possible. If they cannot follow suit, they may play any card, including a trump card.
- 3
The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick unless a trump card is played, in which case the highest trump wins. The winner of each trick leads the next one.
- 4
After all cards have been played, scores are calculated based on how accurate each player’s prediction was.
- 5
The game continues for a set number of rounds, and the player with the highest total score at the end is the winner.
Need a deck? Pick up a Cardvenir pack and see the city while you play.