Create Game
Join Game
Rules
Barbu is a four-player game using a standard 52-card deck. Gameplay in each hand is governed by one of seven contracts, detailed below. With the exception of Fantan, all contracts are based around taking tricks, following the lead suit, with 2 low and Ace high. The dealer declares the contract at the beginning of the hand, and deal position rotates to the next player at the end of the hand. A player may not declare the same contract twice, and the game is over when each player has declared all seven contracts, 28 hands in total.
After the dealer has declared a contract, the other players have the opportunity to double them. When doubled, the difference between the two players’ scores at the end of the hand is added to the higher-scoring player and subtracted from the other player. For each player who doubles, the dealer has the option to redouble that player, which multiplies the score difference by two. Each player must double every other player at least twice over the course of the game. There is no minimum requirement for redoubles, and redoubles do not count toward the double obligation.
Contracts
- Nullo - Each trick taken is worth -2 points.
- Last Two - The second-to-last trick taken is worth -10 points, and the last trick is worth -20 points.
- Hearts - Each Heart taken is worth -2 points, except the Ace, which is worth -6 points. Hearts cannot be led unless the player is out of all other suits. The hand is over when all Hearts have been taken.
- Queens - Each Queen taken is worth -6 points. The hand is over when all Queens have been taken.
- King of Hearts - The King of Hearts is worth -20 points. The hand is over when the King of Hearts has been taken.
- Trumps - The dealer selects a trump suit, which will win the hand regardless of lead suit. If a player is able to play trump, they must, and must play a higher trump card than any already on the board. Each trick taken is worth 5 points.
- Fantan - The dealer selects a starting card, and only that card can initially be played for each suit. Once the starting card has been played in a suit, subsequent players can play the next-highest or next-lowest card. If a player is not able to play a card, they pass. Play continues until at least three players have used all the cards in their hand. First out gets 45 points, second out 20 points, third out 5 points, and -5 points for last.