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Download on Google Play- Use a Kwartet deck or standard 52-card deck for 2-6 players.
- Deal 5-7 cards to each player depending on player count.
- Place remaining cards in a draw pile.
- Ask a specific player for a specific card you need.
- You must already hold at least one card from that set.
- If they have it, take it and ask again; if not, draw and end your turn.
- Place completed quartets face-up in front of you.
- Each completed quartet: 1 point.
- Player with the most quartets when all sets are formed wins.
Rules
Kwartet is a simple Dutch card game, similar to Go Fish, where players ask each other for specific cards to complete sets of four. It is one of the most popular children's card games in the Netherlands and Belgium, often played with themed specialty decks.
Objective
Collect the most complete sets of four matching cards (quartets). The player with the most complete quartets at the end wins.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 6 players.
- Deck: A special Kwartet deck with cards grouped into sets of four, or a standard 52-card deck using ranks as groups.
- Deal: Deal 5 to 7 cards to each player depending on player count. Place remaining cards in a draw pile.
Gameplay
- Asking: On your turn, ask a specific player for a specific card that you need to complete a quartet. You must already hold at least one card from that set.
- Receiving: If the asked player has the requested card, they must hand it over, and you may ask again.
- Drawing: If the asked player does not have the card, you draw from the pile and your turn ends.
- Completing quartets: When you collect all four cards of a set, place them face-up in front of you as a completed quartet.
Scoring
- Quartets: Each completed set of four counts as 1 point.
- Winner: The player with the most completed quartets when all sets have been formed wins.
Variations
- Themed Kwartet: Specialty decks feature categories like animals, countries, or famous people, with educational facts on each card.
- Memory Kwartet: Combine with memory elements by placing some cards face-down on the table.
Tips and Strategies
- Pay attention to what other players ask for to deduce which cards they hold.
- Ask players who you suspect hold the cards you need based on their previous requests.
- Spread your questions across different players to gather information without revealing too much about your own hand.
Tips & Strategy
Listen carefully to what others ask for and from whom. This information helps you identify who has the cards you need and which sets are close to completion.
Advanced players track every question asked during the game, building a mental map of who holds which cards. This deductive element elevates Kwartet beyond simple luck.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Hundreds of themed Kwartet decks exist in the Netherlands, covering everything from soccer players to dinosaurs to Dutch historical figures.
What well-known English-language card game is Kwartet most similar to?
History & Culture
Kwartet has been a staple of Dutch and Belgian childhood for generations, with themed decks becoming popular educational tools in schools during the mid-20th century.
Kwartet is one of the first card games Dutch and Belgian children learn, making it a shared cultural touchstone. Themed decks are popular gifts and educational tools across the Low Countries.
Variations & House Rules
Themed Kwartet decks turn the game into an educational experience, while Memory Kwartet adds face-down cards for an extra challenge.
Create your own themed deck with family photos or personal interests, or add a rule where completing a quartet earns an extra turn.
