How to Play Marianna Card Game: A Fun, Competitive Twist on Trick-Taking Games

Learn how to play Marianna, a fun 4-player card game! This guide covers setup, card values, special declarations (Mariannas!), and scoring to help you master the game.

by Elazar Gilad
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Old Maid card game setup with players and cards on the table

Master the rules and strategies of Marianna Card Game in this fun and engaging guide!

If you’re a fan of classic card games but looking for something new and exciting to play with friends or family, the Marianna card game is a fantastic choice! Played in teams of two, this trick-taking game is filled with strategic elements and some quirky bonus features that keep it fresh and engaging. Whether you’re a seasoned card game player or a newbie, learning to play Marianna is an enjoyable experience that’s bound to get you hooked.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the rules, setup, strategies, and special declarations in Marianna to help you get started. So, let’s dive into the exciting world of Marianna!

How to Set Up Marianna Card Game

Before the fun begins, let’s go over the basic setup. Marianna is designed for four players, split into two teams. Players sit across from their teammates to form a cooperative unit. Here’s how to get everything ready for a round of Marianna:

1. Form Teams:

  • Sit in a circle, ensuring that each player is across from their teammate.

2. Prepare the Deck:

  • Use a standard 52-card deck but remove all 10s, 9s, and 8s. This leaves you with 40 cards to play the game.

  • You’ll play with the following cards: Ace, 3, King, Queen, Jack, 7, 6, 5, 4, and 2.

3. Deal the Cards:

  • Select a dealer randomly. The player to the left of the dealer cuts the deck.

  • Deal five cards to each player, ensuring that each person has a full hand.

  • The remaining deck is placed in the center as the stockpile.

Once the cards are dealt, you’re ready to start the game!

Marianna Card Rankings and Points System

Understanding the card ranks and their values is key to winning in Marianna. The game uses a unique point system based on the value of each card:

Card Order (High to Low):

  • Ace (highest)

  • 3

  • King

  • Queen

  • Jack

  • 7

  • 6

  • 5

  • 4

  • 2 (lowest)

Card Values:

  • Ace = 11 points

  • 3 = 10 points

  • King = 4 points

  • Queen = 3 points

  • Jack = 2 points

  • 7, 6, 5, 4, and 2 = 0 points

Special Declarations for Extra Points

One of the exciting elements of Marianna card is the special card combinations, known as “declarations,” which can give your team big bonus points. You can declare these combinations during your turn, and each one comes with its own unique point value.

Marianna (King + Queen of the Same Suit):

  • This is the most basic but still highly rewarding declaration. If you manage to declare a Marianna, you score bonus points.

  • 1st declared: 40 points

  • 2nd declared: 60 points

  • 3rd declared: 80 points

  • 4th declared: 100 points

Marianninnos (4 Queens + 1 King):

  • A powerful combination, worth a massive 250 points. Additionally, it sets the trump suit to the suit of the King.

Mariannones (4 Kings + 1 Queen):

  • The ultimate declaration, worth 500 points and an instant win! This is the holy grail of Marianna card and guarantees victory if you manage to achieve it.

Keep in mind that only one declaration is allowed per turn, so use your opportunities wisely.

How to Play Marianna Card Game

Now that you understand the setup and scoring system, let’s go over how to actually play Marianna card.

1. Who Goes First?

  • The player to the right of the dealer starts the game. They can play any card from their hand on their turn.

2. Following the Rules of the Trick:

  • Players don’t have to follow the suit of the first card played in the trick. In other words, there’s no need to try to win the trick unless it’s advantageous for your team.

  • Initially, there’s no trump suit in play. However, the trump suit can be set later through special declarations like the Marianna or Marianninnos.

3. Winning a Trick:

  • If a trump suit is declared, the highest card in the trump suit wins the trick.

  • If there’s no trump suit in play, the highest card of the same suit as the first card played wins the trick.

4. After Each Trick:

  • The winner of the trick collects all the cards played during that round.

  • Afterward, each player draws a new card from the stockpile until they have five cards again.

  • The player who won the trick leads the next one.

5. Declaring Marianna:

  • On your turn, you have the option to declare a Marianna or Marianninnos.

  • If you declare a Marianna, it changes or sets the trump suit. Once the last card from the stock is drawn, no more declarations can be made.

Scoring and Ending the Game

At the end of each round, add up your points. You get points for:

  • Cards in the tricks your team has won.

  • Any special declarations made during the game.

Keep a running total of your points over several rounds. The game ends when a team reaches 501 points or more. If both teams exceed this total in the same round, the team with the highest score wins.

Strategy Tips for Marianna Card

Now that you know the basics of how to play Marianna card, here are a few strategic tips to help you secure victory:

  1. Watch for Declarations: Always be aware of the special card combinations your opponents are building. If they have a Marianna in hand, you’ll need to play cautiously.

  2. Manage the Trump Suit: If you have the ability to declare a trump suit, make sure to use it at the right time to gain an advantage.

  3. Teamwork is Key: Since you’re playing in teams, make sure to communicate with your teammate through your card plays. Try to help each other win tricks and set up for declarations.


Marianna is an exciting, strategic card game that’s easy to learn but hard to master. Whether you’re playing with family or friends, this game is guaranteed to bring fun and competition to your card game nights. So, gather your team, prepare your deck, and start learning how to play Marianna card today!

Also Read: PAGCOR Guarantee Website: Verify Online Gaming Now

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