Tarot Rules for 4 Players

Tarot for 4 Players

Tarot is a classic French trick-taking game for 3 to 5 players. Here are the main rules:

Game Objective

Achieve the announced contract before the deal. The player who bids the most must score the promised points.

Game Composition

78 cards divided into 4 suits and 22 trumps (Tarot, numbered 1 to 21 plus the Fool).

Card Distribution

For 4 players: 18 cards per player + 6 cards in kitty (2+2+2). Remaining cards are not used.

Bidding Phase

1. Each player makes a bid: Prise, Garde, Garde Sans, or passes
2. Prise: Level 1 (you can look at the kitty)
3. Garde: Level 2 (you don't look at the kitty)
4. Garde Sans Talon: Level 3 (maximum risk)
5. Garde Contre Talon: Level 4 (you play against all)

Point Counting

• The Bouts (Fool, 21, 1): 15, 10, 5 points
• The Honours (King, Queen, Knight, Jack): 10, 10, 10, 10 points
• Other Cards: 0 points

Counting Example

You won 45 points with Tarot. The bidder must have 36 to succeed in their contract.