Learn to Play 500: Rules & Tips
| Players | 4 Players |
| Difficulty | 6/10 |
| Recommended Age | 12+ |
| Game Category | Trick-taking |
500 Game Overview
Five Hundred is a trick-taking card game that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. It is a popular game in Australia, New Zealand, and North America. The game is played with four players in two teams of two. The objective of the game is to be the first team to reach 500 points. The game is easy to learn, but it requires strategy and skill to win.
Objective of the Game
The object of the game is to be the first team to reach 500 points. Points are earned by winning tricks and bidding accurately. The game is played in rounds, and the team with the highest score at the end of the round earns points. The game continues until one team reaches 500 points or more.
Materials Needed for Playing 500
- A standard deck of 52 cards
- A scorecard or pen and paper to keep score
Cards Used
A standard deck of 52 cards is used in Five Hundred. The game does not use jokers or any other special cards.
Other Supplies Needed
- A scorecard or pen and paper to keep score
How To Play 500
Five Hundred:
- Shuffle the deck of cards and deal 10 cards to each player.
- Place the remaining cards face down on the table to form the stockpile.
- Turn the top card of the stockpile face up to start the discard pile.
- The player to the left of the dealer starts the game by bidding the number of tricks they think they can win.
- The bidding continues clockwise, and each player must bid a higher number of tricks or pass.
- The player who wins the bid becomes the declarer and chooses the trump suit.
- The declarer takes the top card from the discard pile and adds it to their hand.
- The declarer leads the first trick, and the other players must follow suit if possible.
- The player who wins the trick leads the next trick.
- The game continues until all 10 tricks have been played.
- Points are awarded based on the number of tricks won and the accuracy of the bid.
- The game continues until one team reaches 500 points or more.
Keeping Score
Points are awarded based on the number of tricks won and the accuracy of the bid. If the declarer wins the exact number of tricks they bid, they earn 10 points plus the number of tricks bid. If they win more or fewer tricks than bid, they earn one point per trick won. If the declarer fails to win the number of tricks bid, they lose 10 points plus the number of tricks bid. The opposing team earns one point per trick won. The game continues until one team reaches 500 points or more.
