Whist vs Bid Whist
Whist is the classic partnership trick-taking game and the ancestor of Bridge. The last card dealt is shown and sets trump, then the side that wins more than six tricks scores a point for each extra trick. There is no bidding, so the game is all about play.
Bid Whist adds an auction on top. It is played with 54 cards including two jokers, the high bidder takes a six-card kitty and names the trump, and bids can be Uptown, Downtown or No Trump, which changes which cards are high.
Side by side
| Whist | Bid Whist | |
|---|---|---|
| In one line | Classic partnership trick-taking; the last card dealt names trump. | Partnership whist with bidding, a kitty, uptown/downtown and no-trump. |
| Players | 4 | 4 |
| Family | Trick-taking | Trick-taking |
| Type | Table game, bots or friends | Table game, bots or friends |
| Options | Play to: 5 or 7 or 3 | Play to: 7 or 5 or 11 |
| Online turn timer | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
The differences that matter
- Trump: in Whist the last card dealt decides trump; in Bid Whist the auction winner chooses it.
- Cards: Whist uses 52 cards, thirteen each; Bid Whist uses 54 with two jokers as the highest trumps, twelve each plus a kitty.
- Bidding: Whist has none; Bid Whist bids one to seven tricks over six, as Uptown, Downtown or No Trump.
- Risk: in Whist you simply score your extra tricks; in Bid Whist failing your bid loses points, doubled at No Trump.
- Target: Whist plays to 5, 7 or 3 points; Bid Whist plays to 7, 5 or 11.
Which should you play?
Choose Whist if you want to learn trick-taking fundamentals without the pressure of an auction.
Choose Bid Whist if you like big decisions: naming trump, using the kitty and turning the rank order upside down.
How to play Whist
Four players in partnerships (seats 1&3 vs 2&4). Thirteen cards each; the dealer's last card is shown and its suit is trump.
Follow suit if you can; otherwise play any card. The highest trump, or else the highest card of the suit led, wins the trick.
A side that wins more than six tricks scores one point for each extra trick.
First side to the target score wins.
How to play Bid Whist
Four players in partnerships, 54 cards with two jokers: 12 each plus a 6-card kitty. Bid 1-7 tricks over six, as Uptown (Ace high), Downtown (Ace high, then 2, 3 ... King lowest) or No Trump.
The high bidder takes the kitty, names the trump suit, discards six cards and leads. Jokers are the highest trumps.
Follow suit if you can. Making the bid scores the tricks over six (double for No Trump); failing loses the bid (double for No Trump).
First side to reach the target (or its negative) decides the game.