Kaarditehingud

Kaarditehingud is a term used in Estonian to describe a family of trick-taking card games that emphasize bidding and contracts. The games are typically played with a standard deck and involve a phase where players bid to determine the contract, trump suit, and sometimes the number of tricks to win. The name suggests a focus on the bidding and the resulting deals or contracts.

Gameplay generally features four players in two partnerships, though some variants use three to five players or allow solo play. After the deal, players participate in a bidding sequence in which they indicate how many tricks they believe their team can win, and under which trump suit or contract. The highest bid usually determines the contract, and play proceeds with the chosen trump and goal in mind. Card play follows standard trick-taking rules: players must follow suit if able, and tricks are won by the highest card of the led suit or by trump cards when applicable. Scoring rewards successful contracts and penalizes failure, with bonuses for making ambitious bids or for special combinations.

Regional variants differ in deck size, the number of players, bidding rules, and scoring details. Common variations include the number of tricks needed to fulfill the contract, whether partnerships are fixed throughout the session or rotate, and the use of jokers or special cards. Kaarditehingud is commonly played socially and in clubs, with tournaments and online platforms contributing to its contemporary practice.

The games are documented in Estonian card-game circles and are part of broader Central and Eastern European trick-taking traditions, sharing affinities with other bidding-focused games.