Follow-suit tricks: rules and printable materials
Follow the led suit and use limited ranks to compete for four tricks.
- Players
- 3
- Plan for
- 15–20 minutes
- Bring
- 12 suit cards, opaque backs and trick log
Deal the whole deck
The twelve cards are circles, triangles and squares, each numbered 1–4 once. Give all cards identical opaque backs, shuffle and deal four to each of three players. The shapes are suits, not scoring sets. There are no trumps or special cards. Choose an initial leader before dealing. Every card is played exactly once, so the hand consists of four tricks.
Follow the first suit
The leader plays any card face up. In clockwise order, each other player must play a card of that same suit if they hold one. If they have none, they may play any card, but an off-suit card cannot win. Nobody draws, exchanges or passes. You do not have to beat an earlier rank when following; any card of the required suit is legal.
Resolve and transfer the lead
The highest rank in the led suit wins the three-card trick. Since each suit has one of every rank, a tie within the led suit is impossible. The winner takes the three cards face down as one captured trick and leads next. Cards of another suit are ignored when choosing the winner, even if their printed rank is larger. Score one point per trick, not per card.
A complete worked trick
A leads circle 2, B follows circle 4, and C has no circles so plays square 4. B wins because circle 4 is the highest card of the led suit; square 4 does not tie it. B then leads any remaining card. If someone fails to follow while holding the suit, restore the trick before the next lead if possible; otherwise void and redeal the whole hand unscored.
Finish equal opportunities
After four tricks, count each player's captured tricks. For a short session, play three hands with the initial leader rotating so each person starts once. Sum tricks, highest wins and ties share. Collect and reshuffle all twelve between hands. A helper may hold cards privately or read suit labels. Explain following before the first deal; this kit is a small manual card game, with no money or online opponents.
Printable materials
Preview at 100% scale, with browser headers and footers off. Cut with suitable help. Keep host keys separate. This is a manual tabletop kit, not an online opponent, automatic judge or solver.
Twelve cards · cut and back identically
Three players, four cards each. Follow the led suit if possible. No trumps.
Three hands · four tricks each
| Hand / trick | Leader | Three cards | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
| ________ | ________ | ________ | ________ |
Circle 2, circle 4, square 4 → circle 4 wins. Winner leads next. One point per trick.