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If you’re looking for a fun, easy card game to play with friends or family, High 14 might be perfect. It’s a trick-taking game for 3 to 6 players that uses a special Rook deck. What makes it different? In this game, the number 14 cards are the strongest, even stronger than trump cards!
Here’s everything you need to know to play High 14, including how to deal, how tricks work, and how to win.
What You Need to Play High 14
To play this game, you need a 56-card Rook deck. Remove the Rook (20-point) card before you start – it’s not used in this game.
You can play with 3 to 6 players. If you’re playing with four people, it’s fun to play in teams of two, as suggested by the game’s creator, George Parker.
Setting Up the Game
- Pick the trump color: To find the trump color, the dealer cuts the deck. The color of the card revealed becomes the trump for that round.
- Shuffle and deal: Deal all cards equally to the players.
- If playing with 3 or 6 players, place the last two cards face down in the center. These two cards will go to the winner of the first trick.
How to Play Each Trick
- The player to the left of the dealer goes first.
- They play any card to start the trick.
- All other players must follow the same color if they can.
- If a player can’t match the color, they can play any card or a 14 (which can be played at any time).
- The trick is won by:
- The highest card in the color led,
- OR the highest trump card,
- OR a 14, which beats all regular cards and trumps.
If more than one 14 is played:
- The 14 that matches the lead color wins.
- If no 14 matches the lead color, the first 14 played wins the trick.
Important: Trump color does not beat a 14. All 14s are equal in strength, no matter their color.
The winner of the trick leads the next one.
Scoring Points
After all tricks are played in a round, count up the points:
- Each trick = 5 points
- Each “5” card = 5 points
- Each “10” card = 10 points
Keep a score sheet for each player (or team).
How to Win the Game
The first player (or team) to reach 250 points wins!
You can play as many rounds as needed until someone hits the winning score.
Also Read: Global Responsible Gaming: Rules And Player Safety
