Whist:

Players: 4. The players are paired up in teams of two partners who are seated opposite one another across the gaming table

To begin a game the dealer will deal out all of the cards to the players(13 each). The final card, which will belong to the dealer, is dealt face up and this determines which suit is the trump suit for the game.

Play for each trick progresses clockwise, starting to the dealer’s left. The leading player can use any card in their hand and the other players follow this suit. If they do not have a card in the lead suit, they may play any card. The trick is won by the highest card of the suit led, unless a player without that suit happens to trump. The highest trump wins the trick.

There are thirteen tricks in each hand; the team that won the most tricks is given a single point for each trick in excess of six. The game ends when one team reaches five points. If neither team has yet reached five another hand is dealt.