7 8 Card Game: Rules, Strategies and How to Play

Today, we skip our usual topics like poker actions and hands to discuss a unique game. It is highly popular in India and is played by people from all states.

You may know it by its Hindi name, “Saat Aath,” which translates to “7-8 card game.” It is as exciting as online poker but has different rules and gameplay.

The 7-8 game is played with only 30 cards from a deck. It removes some lower-value cards, creating a faster and more strategic experience.

The 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s are excluded from all suits. The game is played by two people and is all about winning tricks or hands.

This exciting game is perfect for gatherings, family nights, and competitive play. Let’s dive into the rules, strategies, and winning tips!

The Objective of 7-8 Card Game

The primary objective of the card game is to win the highest tricks or hands. The game is played by two players:

• The dealer (who deals cards) must win at least 7 tricks.
• The cutter (the player who cuts the deck before dealing) must win at least 8 tricks.

In total, there are 15 tricks to be won from the 30 cards. Each hand or trick consists of two cards.

You lose the round if you fail to win the required tricks, and your opponent gains an advantage. The role of the dealer and cutter revolves in each round.

Strategy, smart play, and reading the opponent’s moves are key to success in this game!

Rules of the 7-8 Card Game

Like poker game rules, you must get familiar with 7-8 rules to master the gameplay. Below are the essential aspects to keep in mind.

Trump Cards:

• The 7 of hearts (🧡) and 7 of spades (♠) are always trump cards.
• 7🧡 has the highest rank, while 7♠ ranks second.
• These two are the highest-ranking among all cards and automatically win a trick when played.
• The whole hearts and spades suits are also trumps.

How to Win:

• The dealer must collect more than 7 tricks to win the game.
• The cutter must collect more than 8 hands to win the game.
• It’s a tie if the dealer wins exactly 7 tricks and the cutter gains exactly 8 hands.

Gameplay:

• Each player plays one card at a time.
• They must follow the suit of the previous card.
• Another suit or trump card is allowed if the same suit card is not available.
• The highest-ranked card in the trick wins unless a trump card is played.
• The 7s (spade and hearts) will win a trick against other trump cards.

The first player to play gets a strong advantage in the game. A successful first round puts pressure on the opponent and helps close the game more quickly.

How to Play the 7-8 Card Game

Below is a look at the gameplay and example scenarios for a better understanding.

Setting Up

The game uses 30 cards from a standard deck:

• Spades: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A
• Hearts: 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A
• Clubs: 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A
• Diamonds: 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A

Shuffling and Dealing – First Round

• The dealer shuffles the deck.
• The cutter cuts the deck in two parts to ensure fairness.
• The dealer deals a hand of 5 cards to each player like a poker hand.

Calling the Trump Suit

• By default, the 7 of hearts and spades are always trump cards.
• After examining their hands, the cutter or non-dealer can call another trump suit.
• The game only uses the two default trump suits if the cutter doesn’t call another trump.

Second-Round Dealing

• The dealer deals another hand of 5 cards for both players and keeps them face-down.
• Next, they place one card face-up on top of each five face-down cards.

Each player now has 15 cards:

• The initial hand of 5 cards
• 5 cards kept face-down
• 5 cards kept face-up

A player has to first play from his hand and the face-up cards. Once a face-up card is played, the face-down card under it is turned over and ready to play in upcoming rounds.

Playing the Tricks

• The cutter will first play one card from their hand.
• The dealer must play the same suit if available.
• The dealer can play any other card or trump cards if they cannot match the suit.
• The highest card from the original suit wins the trick if no trump is played.
• If a trump is played, then the highest trump wins the trick.
• The winner collects the two cards and keeps them face-down in a separate pile.
• The winner of each trick leads the next round.
• The game ends when all cards or 15 tricks are played.

Deciding the Winner

• Both players count the number of hands they won.
• The dealer wins if they have more than 7 tricks.
• The cutter wins if they have more than 8 tricks.
• It’s a tie if they have the minimum hands required to win.

Example 7-8 Game

Two friends, Jadu and Viru, are playing a 7-8 card game after they came home from work.

• Viru is the dealer and wants to win more than 7 tricks.
• Jadu is the cutter and wants to win more than 8 tricks.

After looking at his hands, Jadu declares diamonds (🔶) as another trump suit.

First Trick:

• Jadu plays J♠ (Spades).
• Viru responds with 9♠ (Spades).
• Since J♠ is higher, Jadu wins.

Second Trick:

• Viru leads with K🔶.
• Jadu plays 7♠ (a trump card) since he has no diamonds.
• Since 7♠ is a trump, Jadu wins again.

Third Trick:

• Jadu plays 10♣.
• Viru follows with Q♣.
• Viru wins the trick since Q is higher in the same suit.

The game continues until all 15 tricks are played.

• In the end, Jadu (cutter) wins 9 tricks.
• Viru (the dealer) wins 6 tricks.

Jadu wins the game because he collects 9 tricks, which is more than the required 8 tricks.

Online 7-8 Card Game Vs Online Poker

The 7-8 online game is simple, fun, and fast. However, online poker is more challenging, with more complexity, many calculations, and the chance to play with real money.

Below are the primary differences between the two games.

Do You Want to Play a 7-8 Card Game?

7-8 is a fun and quick card game that takes two players. You play it with 30 cards and aim to win the most tricks.

A total of 15 hands or tricks are played.

The game needs a clear strategy of which cards you want to play. Additionally, you must call the right trump after reading your hand strength.

7-8 is popular in India and neighbouring countries. Do you play it with your friends too?

FAQs on 7-8 Card Game