Call Break rules

How to play Call Break

Call Break is a four-player trick-taking card game played with 52 cards. Your goal is to bid a realistic number of tricks and then win at least that many during the round.

1. Deal the cards

Four players receive 13 cards each. In the classic game, Spades are the trump suit, which means a Spade can beat a card from another suit when trumping is legal.

2. Make your call or bid

Before play begins, each player chooses how many tricks they expect to win. A careful bid considers high cards, long suits, Spades and the risk that opponents can trump.

3. Play each trick

The lead player plays one card. Other players must follow the led suit when they can. If they cannot follow suit, the game rules determine whether they may or must play a Spade. The highest legal card of the led suit wins unless a Spade is played; then the highest Spade wins.

4. Continue for 13 tricks

The winner of each trick leads the next one. The round ends after every player has played all 13 cards.

5. Score the round

A player who meets the call receives positive points under the selected scoring rules. A player who wins fewer tricks than called receives a minus score. Exact bonuses and penalties can vary by mode, so the room settings shown before a match are authoritative.

Beginner Call Break strategy

Count your strong Spades and likely winners before bidding.
Avoid overcalling a hand with unsupported high cards.
Track which suits opponents no longer hold, because they may trump.
Protect the tricks needed to complete your call before chasing extras.
Watch every played Spade so you know which trump cards remain.

Names vary by region. Call Break is also written as Callbreak or Call Brake and is related to names such as Call Bridge, Lakdi, Lakadi and Taas/Tash in South Asian card-game searches.

Ready for a different ruleset? Compare the available Call Break game modes or learn how to play online with friends.