How to Play Tarneeb
Master the rules, strategies, and scoring mechanics of the Levant's favorite 4-player multiplayer card game.
1. The Setup & Deal
Tarneeb is played with a standard 52-card deck. 4 players divide into 2 permanent partnerships (partners sit opposite each other). Every player is dealt exactly 13 cards.
2. The Bidding Phase
Players bid the number of tricks (from 7 to 13) their partnership expects to win. Bidding rotates counter-clockwise. Each bid must be higher than the previous one, or a player must PASS. If all 4 players pass, the cards are redealt.
3. Declaring Tarneeb
The highest bidder wins the bidding phase. They immediately choose the trump suit (the Tarneeb) and lead the first card of the gameplay.
4. Trick Gameplay
Players must follow the led suit if they have it. If not, they can play any card, including a Tarneeb (trump). The highest card of the led suit wins the trick, unless a Tarneeb is played—in which case the highest Tarneeb card wins.
Scoring Mechanics
After 13 tricks are played, the round scores are calculated. Scoring revolves around whether the bidding team met their bid target. The game is played until a team reaches 31 points.
Strategic Tips for Beginners
- 1. Count the Tarneebs: Pay close attention to how many trump cards have been played. There are 13 cards of the trump suit in total. Knowing if the opponents are out of trumps is key before leading high cards.
- 2. Support Your Partner: If your partner wins the bidding, your job is to help them secure tricks. Play high cards to bleed out the opponents' defense or take tricks when your partner cannot follow suit.
- 3. Bid Prudently: A bid of 7 requires winning a simple majority. Bids of 10 or higher are risky and require very strong hand distributions (e.g. 5+ trump cards including the Ace, King, and Queen).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards are used in Tarneeb?
Tarneeb uses a standard 52-card deck. Each of the four players is dealt 13 cards.
What is the minimum bid in Tarneeb?
The lowest bid is 7 tricks and the highest is 13. The highest bidder names the trump suit, called the Tarneeb.
How do you win a game of Tarneeb?
Rounds are played until one team reaches the target score — 31 points in the standard game.
What does bidding 13 score in Tarneeb?
Successfully bidding and winning all 13 tricks scores 26 points; failing a bid of 13 loses 16 points.
What is the 'Tarneeb' in the game?
Tarneeb means the trump suit. A trump card beats any card of another suit when a trick is decided.