How to Play
Master the cycle, nail your bids, and survive the blind hands. Here's everything you need to know.
Game Overview
DivorceCards is a 4-player trick-taking game played with a standard 52-card deck. The game consists of 18 hands that cycle from 9 cards down to 1 card, then back up to 9 cards. Trump suits rotate through a fixed schedule, and two legendary "blind hands" test your ability to read the table.
- Players: 4 individual competitors (no teams)
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck, no jokers
- Goal: Score the most points by winning tricks and hitting your bid exactly
- Duration: 18 hands per game (~45-90 minutes)
Hand Structure & The Cycle
The game follows a fixed 18-hand cycle:
The Cycle
Descending: 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 cards
Ascending: 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 → 7 → 8 → 9 cards
Total: 18 hands (9 descending + 9 ascending)
Each number represents the number of cards dealt to each player. The dealer rotates clockwise after each hand, regardless of who won the previous hand.
Trump Rotation
Trump suits follow a fixed schedule tied to the number of cards dealt. There's no random card flip—everyone knows what's coming.
Trump Schedule
- 9 cards: ♠ Spades
- 8 cards: ♥ Hearts
- 7 cards: ♦ Diamonds
- 6 cards: ♣ Clubs
- 5 cards: ★ No Trump
- 4 cards: ♠ Spades
- 3 cards: ♥ Hearts
- 2 cards: ♦ Diamonds
- 1 card (descending): ♣ Clubs
- 1 card (ascending): ★ No Trump
The pattern repeats as hands ascend back up (2 cards = ♠ Spades, 3 cards = ♥ Hearts, etc.).
Bidding Rules
After cards are dealt, players bid on how many tricks they think they'll win. Bidding starts to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise.
- Bid any number from 0 to the number of cards in your hand
- Bidding 0 is legal and strategic (especially with weak hands)
- The dealer bids last and faces the Dealer's Curse
The Dealer's Curse
The dealer cannot bid a number that makes the total of all bids equal the number of cards in play. This ensures that someone will always fail their bid.
Example: In a 5-card hand, if the first three players bid 2, 1, and 1 (total = 4), the dealer cannot bid 1 (which would make the total 5). The dealer must bid 0, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
Playing Tricks
After bidding, the player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick. Standard trick-taking rules apply:
- Players must follow suit if they can
- If you can't follow suit, you may play any card (including trump)
- Trump cards beat all non-trump cards
- Highest card in the suit led wins the trick (unless trumped)
- Winner of the trick leads the next trick
Card Ranking
Standard poker ranking applies: A (high) → K → Q → J → 10 → 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5 → 4 → 3 → 2 (low)
Blind Hands (The 1-Card Rounds)
The two 1-card hands are played blind. This is where DivorceCards earns its name.
Blind Hand Rules
- Each player is dealt 1 card
- Players hold their card against their forehead (or place it face-up on the table in front of them)
- You see everyone's card except your own
- Bidding proceeds as normal (0 or 1)
- After bidding, players reveal their cards and determine the winner
Strategy Tip: Use what you see (and what you don't see) to deduce your card. If you see three low cards and no trump, you might have a strong trump card. But if everyone bids 1 except you... maybe you're holding the 2 of clubs.
Scoring
Scoring is simple but ruthless: precision is everything.
Scoring Formula
- Hit your bid exactly: Tricks won + 10 bonus points
- Miss your bid (over or under): Tricks won only (no bonus)
| Bid | Tricks Won | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 13 pts | Perfect! 3 + 10 bonus |
| 3 | 4 | 4 pts | Missed by 1, bonus lost |
| 0 | 0 | 10 pts | Zero bid nailed, full bonus |
| 0 | 1 | 1 pt | One trick ruins everything |
| 5 | 3 | 3 pts | Bid too high, no bonus |
| 1 | 1 | 11 pts | Bid 1, won 1, huge win |
Key Insight: The +10 bonus is massive. Hitting a 3-bid gives you 13 points. Missing it and winning 4 tricks gives you only 4 points. Bid conservatively unless you're desperate.
Strategy Tips
Count Trump
There are 13 trump cards in play. Track what's been played. If 10 trump cards are gone, you know exactly what's left.
Bid Zero Strategically
If you have a weak hand with no trump and low cards, bidding 0 can score you 10 points. It's often safer than risking a 1-bid.
The Dealer's Curse is Your Friend
If you're the dealer, use the curse to your advantage. Sometimes you'll be forced into a 0 bid—make it work.
Read the Table in Blind Hands
Watch how people bid. If someone confidently bids 1 after seeing three low cards, YOU probably have a high trump. Use everyone's visible cards and bids to deduce what's in your hand.
Don't Overbid Early
The 9-card and 8-card hands are chaotic. Bid conservatively early and save aggressive bids for smaller hands where you have more control.
Win the Right Tricks
If you've already hit your bid, throw losing cards. If you're behind, fight for every trick. Control your trick count like your life depends on it.
Winning the Game
After all 18 hands are played, the player with the highest total score wins. There's no second place. There's no team. Just you, your bids, and your ability to read a room.
Ready to Play?
Now that you know the rules, it's time to test your skills against the bots—or challenge your friends to a private game.
Now you know the rules — Play Divorce Cards Free →