How to Play Hokm
Learn how to play Hokm, the classic Persian four-player card game. This guide explains the rules of Hokm, choosing the trump suit, turn order, tricks, scoring and basic strategy.
Objective
Hokm is a four-player trick-taking card game played in two teams.
You and the player opposite you are teammates. The two players on the other side form the opposing team.
The goal of each hand is to be the first team to win 7 tricks.
The first team to win 7 hands wins the full match.
The Hâkem
One player is chosen as the Hâkem. The Hâkem has an important role because they choose the Hokm suit.
At the start of a hand, the Hâkem receives the first 5 cards.
After seeing those cards, the Hâkem chooses one of the four suits:
What is Hokm?
The suit chosen by the Hâkem becomes the Hokm, also known as the trump suit.
Hokm cards are stronger than cards from every other suit.
If Clubs are Hokm:
Even though 2♣ is a low card, it wins because Clubs are Hokm.
Card Ranking
Cards rank from highest to lowest:
Ace is the highest card and 2 is the lowest card.
Playing a Trick
A trick consists of one card played by each of the four players.
The first player leads by playing any card from their hand.
Play then continues around the table until all four players have played.
Following Suit
You must follow the suit of the first card played if you have a card of that suit.
Player 2 leads with:
If you have any Hearts, you must play a Heart.
If you do not have any cards of the led suit, you may play any card.
This includes playing a Hokm card to trump the trick.
Winning a Trick
If no Hokm card is played, the highest card of the led suit wins.
If one or more Hokm cards are played, the highest Hokm card wins.
Hearts are led and Clubs are Hokm:
5♣ wins because a Hokm card beats every non-Hokm card.
Who Leads Next?
Whoever wins the trick becomes the leader of the next trick.
That player may lead with any card they choose.
Winning a Hand
Each trick your team wins adds one point to your current trick score.
The first team to reach 7 tricks wins the hand.
Winning the Match
Winning a hand adds one win to your team's overall match score.
The first team to reach 7 hand wins wins the full match.
Basic Strategy
Hokm is not only about playing your highest cards. Good players also think about their teammate.
If your teammate is already winning the trick, avoid using a stronger card unnecessarily.
Trump cards are powerful. Try not to waste them when your team is already winning.
If a player cannot follow a suit, remember that they are likely out of that suit.
Your goal is for your team to win the trick, not necessarily for you personally to win it.
Hokm Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hokm?
Hokm is a traditional Persian trick-taking card game played with a standard 52-card deck. Four players compete in two teams of two.
How many players play Hokm?
Traditional Hokm is played by four players. The player sitting opposite you is your teammate, while the other two players form the opposing team.
What does Hâkem mean in Hokm?
The Hâkem is the player who chooses the Hokm, or trump suit, for the hand. The Hâkem first receives 5 cards and chooses between Spades, Hearts, Clubs or Diamonds.
What is the Hokm suit?
The Hokm suit is the trump suit chosen by the Hâkem. Cards from the Hokm suit can beat cards from the other suits when they are legally played in a trick.
Do you have to follow suit in Hokm?
Yes. If you have a card belonging to the suit that was led, you must play a card from that suit. If you do not have that suit, you may play any card, including a Hokm card.
What is the highest card in Hokm?
Ace is the highest-ranking card in Hokm, followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10 and the remaining numbered cards down to 2.
How do you win a trick in Hokm?
If no Hokm card is played, the highest card from the suit that was led wins the trick. If one or more Hokm cards are played, the highest Hokm card wins.
How do you win a game of Hokm?
In Classic Hokm, the first team to win 7 tricks wins the hand. The first team to win 7 hands wins the full match.
Can I play Hokm online?
Yes. Classic Hokm lets you play Hokm online in your browser against bots, other online players, or friends in a private game.