Oh Hell
You are a player predicting tricks from your hand. Matching your bid brings a large bonus, and you aim for first place on total points. Play free with 3–7 people, about 20 minutes, no signup.
Oh Hell in 30 seconds
- PrepareDeal the cards and turn the next card to set trump.
- BidBid tricks clockwise from the dealer’s left. The dealer cannot make the total equal the hand size.
- PlayFollow suit if you can; otherwise play anything. Trump is strongest; with no trump played, the highest card of the led suit wins.
- ScoreEach trick scores one point; an exact bid adds ten. Highest total after all rounds wins.
At a glance
| Item | This game |
|---|---|
| Players | 3–7 players |
| Play time | About 20 min |
| Type | Cards |
| Ranked play | Yes |
| Practice against the CPU | Yes |
| Price | Free (no account needed) |
| Rights holder | A public-domain classic game |
| Last updated | 2026-10-08 |
How to play Oh Hell online with friends
- Tap "Play with friends"A party is created with a 6-character code. No account is needed.
- Send a link or QR codeShare it on LINE, or just read the code aloud.
- Everyone opens it in a browserOnce 3–7 players have joined, the host taps "Start".
Rule highlights
Setup, play, winning, and house rules
Setup
- Deal the cards and turn the next card to set trump.
- 52 cards, no jokers. A is high and 2 low.
How to play
- Bid tricks clockwise from the dealer’s left. The dealer cannot make the total equal the hand size.
- Follow suit if you can; otherwise play anything. Trump is strongest; with no trump played, the highest card of the led suit wins.
Winning
- The default sequence is maximum → 1 → maximum: 19 rounds for 3–5 players, 15 for 6, 13 for 7.
- The highest cumulative score wins. Only tied leaders play up to three extensions.
- A CPU takes over resigned seats; their points remain in the totals.
House rules
| Name | Description | Default | Changeable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum hand sizeMaximum hand size3–5 players reach 10 cards, 6 reach 8, 7 reach 7. Choices are capped by the player count. Example with 5: down then up is 5→4→3→2→1→2→3→4→5 (9 rounds); up only is 1→5 (5 rounds). | The largest hand size. | By player count (about 20–25 min) | Changeable |
| Hand sequenceHand sequenceDecrease to one card, then return to the maximum. Up only takes about half as long. | Choose down then up, or up only. | Down then up (about 20–25 min) | Changeable |
| Dealer bid restrictionDealer bid restrictionThis prevents everyone from making the exact bid. If others total 7 in a 10-card round, the dealer cannot bid 3. | Restrict bids that make total bids equal the hand size. | On | Changeable |
| ScoringScoringBid 3 and win 3 for 3 + 10 = 13 points. Tricks-won scoring gives 2 points for winning 2; exact-only gives zero when you miss. | Choose whether missed bids still score tricks won. | Tricks won + exact bonus | Changeable |
| No-trump roundsNo-trump roundsWhen enabled, maximum-size rounds have no trump. Only the highest card of the led suit wins. | Choose whether maximum-size rounds have trump. | Off | Changeable |
| TiesTiesOnly tied leaders play a maximum-size round. After three tied extensions they share first place. Shared-first ends without an extension. | Choose whether tied leaders play extra rounds. | Add a maximum-size round (up to 3) | Changeable |
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FAQ
How many players?
3–7, playing individually. Solo practice seats you with three CPUs.
Can I bid zero?
Yes. Take no tricks and earn the ten-point bonus.
How are ties settled?
Only tied leaders play up to three additional maximum-size rounds, then share first if still tied. You can also choose shared first immediately.
Where does the name come from?
Early accounts around 1930 used “oh! well”, echoing a player’s resignation after missing a bid.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. No app is needed — just open it in a browser. You can join the same party as people on a PC or tablet.
Can two people play?
Yes. This game supports 2 or more players.
Rights holder and physical edition
This is a public-domain classic game. The rules follow the standard reference rules.
Related games
Same type (Cards)
Same player count
Last updated 2026-10-08 · Run by Qdan, Inc.