Bezique: A Quick Guide to Rules, Strategies, Instructions & Winning Tips

Introduction

Oh, Bezique! The card game that has been around for centuries, yet still manages to confuse the heck out of newcomers (including me when I first tried it). It’s a game that requires a keen mind, a good memory, and a dash of luck. Originating from France in the 19th century, Bezique has been a favorite pastime for many, including the famous author, Marcel Proust, who mentioned it in his novel, “In Search of Lost Time”.

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Bezique, let’s get one thing straight. You’ll need a 64-card deck to play this game. That’s right, not your standard 52-card deck, but a 64-card deck. This deck is made up of two standard 32-card Piquet decks, with cards from 7 to Ace in each suit. So, if you’re ready to embark on this journey, let’s get started.

Rules for playing Bezique

The rules of Bezique can be a bit complex, but don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you. The game is typically played by two players, each dealt eight cards. The remaining cards form the stock. The top card of the stock is turned face up to start the discard pile, and its suit becomes the trump suit.

The objective of the game is to score points by forming certain card combinations and winning tricks. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins. And yes, there are ‘house rules’ variations, but for the sake of simplicity, we’ll stick to the official rules for now.

How to Play Bezique

Setup

Each player is dealt eight cards, and the remaining cards form the stock. The top card of the stock is turned face up to start the discard pile, and its suit becomes the trump suit.

Gameplay

Players take turns drawing a card from the stock and discarding a card to the discard pile. They can also ‘declare’ by revealing certain card combinations from their hand to score points.

End of the Game

The game ends when the stock is exhausted. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

How to Win at Bezique

Winning at Bezique requires a good balance of strategy, memory, and a bit of luck. Here are some strategies to help you win:

1. Keep track of the cards that have been played. This will help you make strategic decisions.
2. Try to control the trump suit. This will give you an advantage in winning tricks.
3. Save your high-scoring card combinations for later in the game when they can score more points.

Best Strategies for playing Bezique game

Here are some of the best strategies for playing Bezique:

1. Try to control the trump suit. This will give you an advantage in winning tricks.
2. Save your high-scoring card combinations for later in the game when they can score more points.
3. Keep track of the cards that have been played. This will help you make strategic decisions.

Scenarios for Bezique

Here are some common scenarios you might encounter when playing Bezique, and how to turn them to your advantage:

1. If you have a lot of trump cards, try to control the trump suit.
2. If you have a high-scoring card combination, save it for later in the game when it can score more points.
3. If you’re running low on cards, try to win tricks to replenish your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions about playing Bezique game

Here are some common questions about playing Bezique:

1. Q: How many players can play Bezique?
   A: Bezique is typically played by two players.
2. Q: What kind of deck is used in Bezique?
   A: A 64-card deck is used in Bezique, made up of two standard 32-card Piquet decks.
3. Q: How do you win at Bezique?
   A: You win at Bezique by scoring points through forming certain card combinations and winning tricks. The player with the highest score at the end of the game wins.

External Links

For more information about Bezique, visit the official game website here.