Bint Al Sbeet Rules

Bint Al Sbeet is a four-player (non-partnership) card game using a standard deck of 52 cards, and the direction of play is counterclockwise.

Cards and Distribution

Each participant receives 13 cards at the game’s start. The card hierarchy from lowest to highest follows this sequence:

2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – J – Q – K – A

How to Play

  1. Each player selects three cards and passes them sequentially to the left, then to the right in alternating rounds.

  2. The player right of the dealer initiates play with any card. Subsequent players must match the suit if possible; otherwise, any suit is acceptable.

  3. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, and that player leads next.

  4. Players endeavor to avoid tricks containing:

    • Queen of spades
    • 10 of diamonds
    • All heart suit cards
  5. The round concludes when all cards are exhausted.

Doubling

After card distribution, anyone holding the Queen of spades or 10 of diamonds may reveal it to double point values for that card. If both cards are doubled, hearts also double.

Scoring

  • Queen of spades: 13 points
  • 10 of diamonds: 10 points
  • Each heart: 1 point
  • Points double when applicable

The Minus Rule

Players who collect no tricks receive -10 points. Those announcing inability to collect tricks receive -20 points. When “Minus” is declared and penalty cards are taken, point values double further.

Winning

The game ends when someone reaches 151+ points. The lowest-scoring player wins.