Hokm

Quick Pitch

Hokm (meaning "rule" in Persian) is a partnership trick-taking game from Persia that shares similarities with Spades but with unique trump mechanics.

Equipment Needed

• One standard 52-card deck
• Paper and pencil for score tracking

Setup

1. Players sit in compass positions (North, South, East, West)
2. Partners sit opposite (North-South vs. East-West)
3. Deal 13 cards to each player, one at a time
4. The player to the dealer's right picks the top card of remaining deck; this initiates trump selection

Rules

Objective

Win tricks to reach agreed score. The team calling trump tries to win their contracted tricks; the opposing team tries to prevent it.

Trump Selection

1. Choosing trump: The player to dealer's right sees the top card (not dealt) and nominates a trump suit
2. Contract: The nominating team declares how many tricks they expect to win (1-13)
3. Alternative: If not favorable, the player may pass the card to the next player (dealer's right-hand opponent), who decides
4. Trick requirement: The nominating team needs to win at least their declared tricks to score

Gameplay

1. Lead: Player to dealer's left leads first trick
2. Following suit: Players must follow suit if able; trump may be played if suit cannot be followed
3. Trump strength: If trump is led, trump must be played if held
4. Trick winner: Highest card of suit led wins; highest trump if trump played
5. Collecting tricks: Winner leads next trick

Scoring

Making contract:

• Nominating partnership wins declared number of tricks or more: Score 1 point per trick won
• Alternative: Simple 1 point per trick for winning team (regardless of contract)

Failing contract:

• Nominating partnership wins fewer tricks than needed: Opposing team scores points equal to tricks they won
• OR nominating team scores 0; opponents score all remaining tricks

Game ending: First partnership to reach agreed score (typically 7-10 points) wins match.