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Download on Google Play- Use a 32-card deck (7 through Ace).
- Deal 10 cards to each of 3 players; 2 cards go to the widow (talon).
- Players bid in ascending order for the right to declare trump.
- Declarer picks up the widow, discards two, and confirms trump.
- Players must follow suit, trump if unable, and win if possible.
- Play continues until all 10 tricks are resolved.
- Declarer scores positive points if the contract is met.
- Falling short results in penalty points increasing with the shortfall.
- Defenders score based on tricks captured.
Rules
Preferans is a sophisticated trick-taking card game originating in Russia, now played widely across Eastern Europe. It features a competitive bidding system where one player declares a contract while the other two may cooperate to defeat it.
Objective
Win the auction to set a trump suit and fulfill your contracted number of tricks, or as a defender, work to prevent the declarer from succeeding. Points are tracked on a complex scoring sheet over many deals.
Setup
- Players: 3 players (with a 4-player variant where the dealer sits out each hand).
- Deck: A 32-card deck (7 through Ace in each suit).
- Deal: Each player receives 10 cards, and 2 cards go to a face-down widow (talon).
- Auction: Players bid in ascending order to declare how many tricks they will take and in which trump suit.
Gameplay
- Declarer takes the widow: The auction winner picks up the two widow cards, discards two, and confirms the trump suit.
- Defender options: Each defender independently chooses to play against the declarer or pass. If both pass, the declarer wins automatically.
- Trick play: The player to the dealer's left leads. Players must follow suit, trump if unable, and win the trick if possible.
- Complete all tricks: Play continues until all 10 tricks are resolved.
Scoring
- Declarer success: If the declarer meets the contract, they score positive points based on the bid level.
- Declarer failure: Falling short of the contract results in penalty points that increase with the shortfall.
- Defender scoring: Defenders who participate score based on tricks they capture, with penalties if they take too few.
- Bullet and pool: Preferans uses a multi-zone scoring sheet with a pool, bullet, and dump columns for tracking running scores.
Variations
- Leningrad Preferans: A variant with modified scoring rules and additional contract types.
- Sochi Preferans: Features slightly relaxed bidding and scoring conventions popular in southern Russia.
- Rostov rules: Adds specific misere contracts and adjusted penalty calculations.
Tips and Strategies
- Bid conservatively until you have a strong sense of your hand's trick-taking potential with the widow's help.
- As a defender, cooperate by signaling your strong suits to your temporary ally.
- Learn the scoring sheet thoroughly, as understanding the point implications of each bid level is key to long-term success.
Tips & Strategy
Evaluate your hand carefully before bidding, considering what the widow might contain. As a defender, coordinating with the other defender through your card play is essential to stopping the declarer.
The widow adds significant uncertainty, so top players learn to estimate probabilities of finding useful cards there based on what they hold and what has been bid.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Preferans scoring sheets are so distinctive and complex that dedicated pre-printed scorepads are sold specifically for the game in many Eastern European countries.
In Preferans, what is the name of the two face-down cards that the auction winner picks up?
History & Culture
Preferans arrived in Russia from Austria in the early 19th century and quickly became the dominant intellectual card game of the Russian aristocracy. It has maintained that prestige across Eastern Europe ever since.
Preferans is often regarded as the national card game of Russia and holds a similar status in several other Eastern European nations, associated with intellectual rigor and social tradition.
Variations & House Rules
Regional variants like Leningrad, Sochi, and Rostov Preferans each modify bidding, scoring, and contract rules to reflect local preferences and traditions.
Agree on which regional scoring system to use before starting. Some groups simplify the scoring sheet for newcomers while preserving the core bidding and play.
