BATAK RULES

How to play Batak, the Turkish trick-taking card game: bidding, choosing trumps, following suit, the must-beat rule, going down and scoring.

What is Batak?

Batak is a Turkish trick-taking card game for four players with a standard 52-card deck. Each hand one player wins the bid, picks trumps and tries to take at least as many tricks as promised. House rules vary from table to table; this guide covers the bidding Batak rules exactly as played in YOZGAMES Batak.

Cards and the deal

Aces are high in every suit, followed by King, Queen, Jack and 10 down to 2. Everyone gets 13 cards, and the dealer moves on by one seat each hand.

Bidding

• The player after the dealer bids first and everyone bids once.
• The lowest bid is 4 and the highest 13. A bid must beat the current highest one, or you pass.
• If all four players pass, the cards are dealt again.

Trumps and the opening lead

The winning bidder names the trump suit and leads the first card. Some tables forbid leading trumps until trumps have been played; YOZGAMES Batak has no such limit, so any card may be led.

Playing a hand

• Follow suit whenever you can.
• Must beat: if the trick is currently held by a card of the led suit and you hold a higher one, you must play higher. If the trick has been trumped, simply following suit is enough.
• No suit, play trump: if you cannot follow suit you must play a trump, and a higher one if a trump is already winning and you have it.
• With neither the led suit nor trumps, any card is allowed.

The highest trump wins the trick, otherwise the highest card of the led suit; the winner leads next.

Scoring and the match

• Bid made: the bidder scores one point per trick taken, overtricks included.
• Going down: a bidder who falls short loses points equal to the bid.
• Other players: one point per trick taken.

When anyone reaches 51 or more at the end of a hand, the match ends and the highest score wins.

Beginner strategy

• Bid on sure tricks. Count aces, top cards in a long suit and short suits you can trump.
• Pick your longest suit as trumps. More trumps mean more ruffs and late tricks.
• Use the must-beat rule. Leading a suit can force out an opponent's high card early.
• Watch the bidder. If an opponent won the bid, making them go down helps you.
• Count cards. The hard bots in YOZGAMES Batak remember every card played; track the high cards yourself.

Ready to play? Play Batak free against three bots on easy, normal or hard — no download, no sign-up. Playable cards are highlighted every turn.