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Download on Google Play- Use a standard 52-card deck.
- 4 players form two fixed partnerships.
- Trump caller gets 5 cards first, picks trump, then all receive 13 cards.
- Trump caller leads the first trick.
- Follow suit if possible; otherwise play any card.
- Highest trump wins, or highest led-suit card if no trump played.
- Winning 7+ tricks earns one court.
- Winning the first 7 tricks consecutively may count as a double court.
- First team to the agreed number of courts wins.
Rules
Court Piece, also known as Coat Piece or Rang, is a widely played trick-taking card game popular across South Asia, especially in India and Pakistan. It shares similarities with Hokm, featuring a trump-caller who determines the trump suit based on their initial cards.
Objective
Win the majority of tricks with your partnership. The team that wins 7 or more of the 13 tricks earns a court. The first team to accumulate the required number of courts wins the game.
Setup
- Players: 4 players in two fixed partnerships.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Trump caller: Determined by cutting the deck; the player with the highest card calls trump.
- Deal: The trump caller receives 5 cards first, chooses the trump suit, then all players receive their full 13 cards.
Gameplay
- Lead: The trump caller leads the first trick.
- Follow suit: Players must follow the led suit when possible. Otherwise, they may play any card.
- Win tricks: The highest trump wins, or the highest card of the led suit if no trumps are played.
- Complete the hand: All 13 tricks are played, and the team with more tricks scores a court.
Scoring
- Court: Winning 7 or more tricks in a deal earns one court.
- Consecutive courts bonus: Some groups award extra courts for winning several deals in a row.
- Game victory: The first team to reach an agreed number of courts wins.
Variations
- Double Sar: If the trump caller's team wins the first 7 tricks consecutively, it counts as a double court.
- Badam Satti: A no-trump variant sometimes played alongside Court Piece for variety.
Tips and Strategies
- Select a trump suit where you hold length and at least a couple of high cards.
- Lead from your longest side suit to establish winners before the opposition can organize.
- Keep track of trumps played to know when to safely cash side suit winners.
Tips & Strategy
Choosing the right trump is critical. Look for a suit with both length and high cards, and consider which suits your partner might support.
Early trump extraction is a reliable strategy when your team has trump length. This clears the path for your high side-suit cards to win later tricks.
Trivia & Fun Facts
In Pakistan and India, Court Piece is one of the most commonly played card games, often learned in childhood and played throughout life at family gatherings.
By what other names is Court Piece commonly known in South Asia?
History & Culture
Court Piece has been played across the Indian subcontinent for at least a century and is believed to share a common ancestor with the Iranian game Hokm.
Court Piece is integral to South Asian social culture, bringing together friends and families in India, Pakistan, and neighboring countries. It is often the first card game children learn.
Variations & House Rules
The Double Sar rule awards bonus courts for winning the first seven tricks consecutively, adding an incentive for aggressive early play.
Adjust the number of courts needed to win for different session lengths. House rules sometimes include a bonus for sweeping all 13 tricks.
