Play the 78 card game free online — a traditional Indian trick-taking game on a 30-card deck. Call trump, guard your open table cards, and race to 5 match points against the computer. No download or sign-up.
Overview
78 is a traditional Indian trick-taking card game with an unusual layout that mixes hidden and open cards. It is played with a trimmed 30-card deck, and each hand pits a ‘trump caller’, who must win the bulk of the tricks, against a defender trying to stop them. Managing what your opponent can see — your open table cards — while hiding your plans gives 78 its distinctive tension. The first side to 5 match points wins.
The deck and deal
The game uses a 30-card deck: the 8 through Ace of all four suits, plus the 7 of Hearts and the 7 of Spades. Each player is first dealt five hand cards that only they can see, and trump is chosen after this deal. In the first round a set player calls trump; after that, the right to call trump alternates round by round.
Table cards
Once trump is fixed, each player receives five closed table cards, then five open cards placed on top of them — and both players can see the open cards. You may play from your hand or from your open table cards, and when an open card is played, the closed card beneath it is revealed and becomes playable. Protecting your open cards and timing when to expose the hidden ones is the core skill.
Playing and winning tricks
The trump caller leads the first trick. You must follow suit if you can from any of your visible playable cards. The highest trump wins the trick; if no trump is played, the highest card of the led suit wins, with Aces high. The trump caller must win at least 8 tricks, while the defender is trying to take 8 tricks to stop them.
Scoring
Your score changes according to how far each side beats its target — the more comprehensively the caller or the defender succeeds, the more match points they gain. The first side to reach 5 match points wins the match, so a single dominant round can swing the game.
Strategy and tips
As the trump caller, only call a suit you are strong in, since you must win eight tricks. Guard your high open cards until they can win a trick outright, and reveal hidden cards when the timing suits you rather than being forced. As the defender, use trumps to break the caller’s big cards and count the tricks — reaching eight ends the caller’s hopes.
Controls
When it is your turn to call, pick the suit you want as trump. On your turn, tap a playable card from your hand or open table cards to play it; the game enforces following suit. Use the menu to start a new match.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 78 card game free to play? Yes — free in your browser, no sign-up. How big is the deck? 30 cards — 8 to Ace in every suit, plus the 7 of Hearts and 7 of Spades. What are open and closed table cards? Each player has five closed cards with five open cards on top; playing an open card reveals the closed one beneath. How do I win? The trump caller needs at least 8 tricks; the first side to 5 match points wins the match.
