How To Play 500: The Definitive Rules And Strategy Guide For The Classic Trick-Taking Card Game
Five Hundred is a sophisticated trick-taking game that combines elements of Euchre and Bridge, requiring players to bid for the right to name the trump suit and reach a target score of 500 points. Success hinges on precise hand evaluation, disciplined bidding strategy, and the ability to manage trumps to control the flow of tricks throughout the round.
Foundational Requirements and Game Configuration
Before initiating a game of 500, players must ensure they have the correct components and understand the fundamental constraints of the deck. Unlike standard poker or bridge, 500 utilizes a modified deck based on the number of participants.
- Equipment: A standard 52-card deck modified by removing cards based on the player count.
- For 2 Players: Use a 33-card deck (remove 2s through 6s, keep the Joker).
- For 3 Players: Use a 33-card deck (remove 2s through 6s, keep the Joker).
- For 4 Players: Use a 43-card deck (remove 2s, 3s, and two 4s, keep the Joker).
- Objective: The first player or team to reach or exceed 500 points wins, while reaching -500 points results in an automatic loss.
- Estimated Duration: 30 to 60 minutes per game depending on player count and bidding aggression.
The Procedural Workflow for Playing 500
The game follows a cyclical pattern of dealing, bidding, the "widow" exchange, and trick-taking. Each phase requires specific adherence to the rules to ensure the integrity of the score.
Step 1: Managing the Deal and the Widow
Each player receives a hand of 10 cards, dealt in segments (usually 3, then 2, then 3, then 2). The remaining cards are placed face-down in the center to form the "widow" or "kitty." In a 3-player game, 3 cards go to the widow; in a 4-player game, 3 cards remain. The dealer must ensure the integrity of the widow remains private until the bidding winner claims it.
Step 2: The Bidding Process
Starting to the left of the dealer, players bid on how many tricks they believe they can take and which suit will be trump. A bid consists of a number (6 through 10) and a suit (or "No Trump"). The hierarchy of suits from lowest to highest is Spades, Clubs, Diamonds, Hearts, and No Trump.
Pro-Tip: Always consider the strength of your trump suit before bidding. A bid of 7 Hearts is statistically safer than a bid of 7 Spades because the point value associated with higher suits provides a buffer if you miss your trick goal by one.
Step 3: Exchanging the Widow
The highest bidder takes the widow into their hand. After reviewing the cards, the bidder must discard any three cards face-down to maintain a 10-card hand. This is the critical moment to discard low cards or cards in a weak suit to optimize the hand for the declared trump.
Step 4: Executing the Tricks
The bidder leads the first card. Play proceeds clockwise, with players required to follow suit if possible. The Joker is the highest trump card in the game, followed by the Jack of the trump suit (the Right Bower), then the Jack of the same-colored suit (the Left Bower).
Warning: Do not lead a trump card if you suspect an opponent holds the Joker. Always attempt to flush out the Joker or the Right Bower early if you do not hold them, otherwise, your high cards will be overtaken.
Step 5: Scoring the Round
If the bidder wins the number of tricks bid, they earn the points specified in the bidding table. If they fail, they are "set," and the bid amount is subtracted from their total score. Opponents receive 10 points for every trick they take, regardless of whether the bidder succeeded or failed.
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Technical Scoring Parameters and Suit Hierarchies
The scoring structure in 500 is unique because it rewards higher suits with more points for the same number of tricks. This creates a strategic incentive to bid higher suits.
| Tricks Bid | Spades | Clubs | Diamonds | Hearts | No Trump |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Tricks | 40 | 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 |
| 7 Tricks | 140 | 160 | 180 | 200 | 220 |
| 8 Tricks | 240 | 260 | 280 | 300 | 320 |
| 9 Tricks | 340 | 360 | 380 | 400 | 420 |
| 10 Tricks | 440 | 460 | 480 | 500 | 520 |
Troubleshooting Common Errors and Field Failures
Even experienced players encounter mechanical issues during gameplay. Address these common failures with the following adjustments.
- Failure: Miscounting Tricks during the Bid.
- Root Cause: Failure to account for the impact of the Joker and the Bowers on trump control.
- Actionable Fix: Always count the Joker and both Bowers as guaranteed tricks. If you hold fewer than two of these, reduce your bid confidence by one full trick.
- Failure: Being "Set" Frequently.
- Root Cause: Over-bidding based on high cards without considering the need to actually lead them.
- Actionable Fix: Implement a "Defensive Bidding" rule. Never bid 8 or higher unless you hold at least three sure trump cards and an outside Ace to regain the lead.
- Failure: Illegal Discards.
- Root Cause: Forgetting that discarded cards are removed from play and cannot be retrieved to fix hand imbalances.
- Actionable Fix: Physically separate your discard pile from your gameplay area to avoid confusion. Ensure you have counted your hand to exactly 10 cards before play commences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Joker be used in any suit?
Yes, the Joker is the highest trump card regardless of the suit named. If a player leads a card and you have no cards of that suit, you may play the Joker to win the trick, provided the Joker is not restricted by specific house rules.
How does No Trump bidding function?
In a No Trump bid, there is no trump suit. The cards follow standard high-to-low rank (Ace down to 2). The Joker acts as a wild card or a trump depending on house variations; verify this with your group before dealing.
What happens if everyone passes on the first round?
In most standard versions of 500, if all players pass, the hand is thrown in and the cards are redealt by the next player. Some house rules mandate that the dealer must bid 6, but this is an optional variant.
Can you bid lower than 6?
No, 6 is the minimum bid allowed in 500. Bidding implies that you intend to take at least 6 tricks, as taking 5 or fewer would be statistically impossible to win the game within the scoring structure.
Master the nuances of the bidding table and refine your trick-taking techniques to dominate your next session. Join our weekly card strategy newsletter for more advanced tips on competitive 500 play and tournament tactics.
