Card game King

The card game King combines strategy, attentiveness, and an element of chance. The main goal is to avoid unnecessary tricks and penalty points. In each round, players try to avoid certain tricks or cards: don’t take queens, don’t take the last trick, and don’t score points for hearts. This makes the King card game a unique online experience where focus and calculation matter. Play King online with friends or opponents from all over the world for free, anytime. Just learn the basic principles - and you can play King online with ease.

To win in King, it’s not enough to simply know the rules. Strategy and focus are key: pay attention to which cards have already been played, what others are holding, who is “dumping” queens or hearts. Sometimes bluffing is useful - for example, playing neutrally to force an opponent to take an extra trick. Every decision affects the outcome. The King card game teaches you to rely not only on luck but also on critical thinking. One wrong trick - and you can get dozens of penalty points. That’s why maximum concentration is crucial when playing King.

Playing King online is convenient: you don’t need to gather friends at the table, just an internet connection. It’s perfect for those who want to train or simply have a fun evening. Join the classic version or try modified rules - for example, double penalties for queens or random contract selection. If you want positive emotions and a refreshing way to spend your free time, King online is just what you need.

Playing against the computer

Learning the King card game? Start by playing against the computer. This is the perfect mode for beginners: you can calmly study the rules, try strategies, and not be afraid to lose. The bot plays logically, helping you understand game mechanics and contracts. Playing King with the computer is an excellent way to sharpen your thinking and reach a new skill level.

Playing against the computer is fast and convenient. You don’t have to wait while an opponent thinks - the bot moves instantly, letting you play at a dynamic pace. Choose your preferred game settings and track your progress. Want more challenge? Increase the difficulty level.

King with the computer is the perfect start for a beginner and a training ground for experienced players. Simple interface, fast gameplay, and no pressure. Try it - and you won’t even notice how time flies.

Playing with real opponents

Ready for the next level? Playing King online with real people brings a whole new level of excitement. Now it’s not just about knowing the rules, but also reading your opponents, predicting their moves, and adapting to their tactics. Playing King with three or four players is especially thrilling: the dynamics increase, and mistakes become more dramatic.

Play with friends or find opponents at your skill level: create your own table, invite acquaintances, or compete with ranked players.

The three-player King variant is dynamic and unpredictable. Two cards are removed from the deck, and a real battle begins. The fewer players there are, the harder it is to track who holds what. A great way to train focus and intuition.

Questions and Answers (FAQ):

The card game King is a very engaging game that includes several interesting stages. It is often called the “ladies’ Preferans” because of its similarity to the classic Preferans game.

What is the main goal of King?

The goal of each player is to score the highest number of points. The game is divided into two phases: in the first, you must avoid taking tricks, and in the second, you should try to take as many tricks as possible.

The winner is the player with the most points at the end. King is exciting because the leader can change at any stage, making the outcome unpredictable.

Victory goes to the player who earns the highest total after all rounds. This fascinating game also requires simple math skills to succeed.

How to play King?

The game includes two phases:

• Penalty rounds;
• Play-off rounds.

Penalty rounds

During this stage, you try to avoid taking any tricks or specific cards that bring penalty points. The penalty phase is the same for all variations of the game and includes the following rounds:

• “No Tricks” - The first move is made by the player to the dealer’s left. A trick goes to the player who plays the highest card in the leading suit. Each trick costs 5 penalty points in a four-player game and 4 points in a three-player game.
• “No Hearts” - Avoid taking tricks containing hearts. Each heart taken costs 5 penalty points. You cannot lead with hearts if you have other suits in hand.
• “No Jacks” - Each Jack taken is worth 10 penalty points.
• “No Queens” - Each Queen taken is worth 10 penalty points.
• “No King” - Taking the King of hearts costs 40 penalty points. If you have the King of hearts and no cards of the leading suit, you must discard the King.
• “No Last Two Tricks” - Each of the last two tricks taken costs 20 penalty points.
• “Eralash” - Combines all six previous penalty rules into one round. All forbidden tricks and penalties apply at once, totaling 240 penalty points. This round can be disabled when creating a game.

Mirror play-off

When “Mirror play-off” is selected, all the above penalty rounds are replayed but with positive points. Everything that was forbidden in the penalty stage should now be collected. Rounds include: “Take Tricks,” “Take Hearts,” “Take Jacks,” “Take Queens,” “Take the King,” “Take Last Two,” “Eralash+.”

The rules of trick-taking remain the same, except that in the “Take the King” round you are no longer required to discard the King of hearts when you lack the lead suit.

Play-off with declared trump

In King, you can choose the play-off phase with a declared trump. Each player in turn may declare a trump suit but must do so when they have only three cards left. Options include:

• Choose one of the four suits as trump;
• Play no-trump;
• Play “Misère” - a variant where card ranking is reversed (7 becomes the highest, Ace the lowest). No trumps allowed in Misère.

If no option fits, a player may choose “last card trump,” where the final dealt card determines trump and is shown to all players. You can also sell the right to choose trump to another player for an agreed number of tricks.

Each trick taken during this phase gives 8 positive points.

The final round may include a positive “Eralash,” if this option was enabled.

How to score the game?

The difference between positive and negative points is recorded in the score table. The player with the highest final total wins.

King for different player counts

The main difference is the number of cards and each player’s influence on the game. With three players, individual skill matters more because there is less randomness in card distribution. With four players, adaptation to opponents’ strategies becomes key.

King - 4-player rules

The four-player version uses a 32-card deck, eight cards per player. The structure stays the same: avoid tricks in the first half, take as many as possible in the second. Strategy is crucial, as more players mean higher competition for tricks and complex tactical decisions.

King - 3-player rules

The three-player version removes the 7♠ and 7♣, leaving 30 cards (10 per player). Scoring and some round orders differ slightly. With fewer players, predicting opponents’ moves becomes easier, so strategy and observation play a bigger role.

Also try other trick-taking games such as Deberts and Thousand.