Five Hundred (500) Rules

Five Hundred is a popular trick-taking card game, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. It is an extension of the game Euchre, and is known for its unique features such as the use of a 43-card deck, a bidding system, and a joker card that adds an interesting twist to the game.

Game Overview

Five Hundred is a game designed for four players, but there are variations for other numbers of players as well. The game requires a specific deck of 43 cards: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 in the red suits (hearts and diamonds), A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5 in the black suits (clubs and spades), plus one joker, also known as the bird.

Objective

The objective of Five Hundred is to score 500 points before your opponents. Points are earned by winning a contract, with the number of points dependent on the contract bid.

Setup

Players are arranged in fixed partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other. The dealer is chosen at random and deals 10 cards to each player in clockwise rotation, followed by three cards face down in the center of the table to form a kitty.

How to Play

The bidding process begins with the player to the left of the dealer and continues clockwise. Players can bid on the number of tricks they aim to win (minimum six) and the trump suit, or opt for No Trumps (also known as "No-ies"). Misere, a contract to lose all the tricks, and Open Misere, a contract to lose all the tricks while showing one's hand after the first trick, are also options.

Once someone has bid, each subsequent bid must be higher than the previous one. The highest bid becomes the contract, with the named suit (if any) as trumps. The contractor begins the play by picking up the three cards from the kitty and discarding any three cards face down. The contractor's partner does not participate in the play if the contract is Misere or Open Misere.

Play proceeds clockwise, with each player following suit if possible. The trick is won by the highest trump played, or, if no trump is played, by the highest card of the suit led. The winner of the trick leads to the next trick. If the contract is Open Misere, the contractor reveals their cards after the first trick.

The play of the joker is determined by the presence of trumps. If trumps are declared, the joker is the highest trump, followed by the jack of the trump suit, the other jack of the same color, Ace, King, Queen, 10, 9, etc. down to 5 or 4. If there are no trumps, the joker behaves differently, with specific rules governing its play.

Scoring and End of Game

Points are scored according to the standard 500 score table, whose values depend on both the suit named and the number of tricks contracted: the higher the bid, the more the contract is worth. The contractor's side scores the value of the contract if it takes at least the number of tricks bid, and loses that value otherwise. Misere and Open Misere have their own values, Open Misere being the higher bid of the two. Check the score table supplied with your deck for the exact figures.

The game continues until a team reaches at least 500 points, which is where the game gets its name.

Common Variants

There are several variations of Five Hundred, including the play of the joker, the bidding process, Misere, and other variations for different numbers of players. Some players rank Misere and Open Misere differently, which can affect the game strategy.

A Bit of History

Five Hundred originated in the United States, but it is now the national card game of Australia. It was promoted by the US Playing Card Company and was first copyrighted in 1904. The game evolved over time, with the introduction of the joker, changes in the deck size, and the addition of 13s to the red suits to create a 63-card pack.

Where to Get the Game

500 card game on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Misunderstanding the joker's role: Beginners often struggle with the unique rules surrounding the joker in Five Hundred. It's essential to understand when and how the joker can be played, especially in No Trumps or when the contractor does not hold the joker.

2. Bidding too low: Beginners may underestimate their abilities and bid too conservatively, missing out on opportunities to score more points.

3. Neglecting the kitty: The three cards from the kitty can significantly impact the game, so it's crucial to understand their potential value and how to use them effectively.

FAQ

1. What is the minimum number of players for Five Hundred?

   • Four players are required to play Five Hundred.

2. Can I play Five Hundred with a standard deck of cards?

   • No, a specific 43-card deck is needed to play Five Hundred.

3. How is the trump suit determined?

   • The trump suit is the suit named in the winning bid. If the winning bid is No Trumps, Misere or Open Misere, the hand is played without any trump suit at all.

4. When can I play the joker in a No Trumps contract?

   • If the joker belongs to no suit, you may only play it on someone else's lead when you have no cards of the suit led — and in No Trumps you are not obliged to play it even then: you may discard from another suit instead and keep the joker for a later lead.

5. What happens if I win the auction but fail to take the required number of tricks?

   • The contract fails and your side loses the value of the contract instead of scoring it.

Similar games

• 52-card deck
• 54-card deck
• italian scopa card game
• briscola card game
• 52-card deck