Boston Whist
B
PLAYERS
4
DIFFICULTY
SETTING
Indoor
MATERIALS
- A standard 52-card deck
- Paper and pencil for scoring
- Chips or counters for betting (optional)
HOW TO PLAY
1
Deal all fifty-two cards evenly to the four players, thirteen each.
2
Starting with the dealer's left, each player bids either a number of tricks they expect to win, or a special contract such as misère (winning no tricks) or slam (winning all thirteen).
3
The highest bidder names the trump suit, and play proceeds trick by trick with players following suit when able.
4
The bidder tries to fulfill their declared contract while the other three players cooperate loosely to prevent it.
5
Scores are recorded based on whether the bidder's contract succeeded or failed, with higher-value contracts worth more points.