Chicago
Poker and tricks in one: exchange cards three times, score for the best hand and take the last trick. First to 52. Against the computer or with 2–6 friends.
- 2–6 players
- 15–40 min
- Card game
- Classic
- Poker
Free during the beta, no ads and nothing to download. Play in the browser on a computer, tablet or phone.
About Chicago
Chicago is one of the most played card games in Sweden, despite its American name. It mixes poker and trick-taking: you exchange cards to build a good poker hand, and at the end five tricks are played where the last one is worth the most. A deal is quick, and the game works as well for two as for six. Here you play it in the browser, against the computer or with friends, with the usual house rules to choose from.
How to play
Poker and tricks in one. Exchange cards three times, score for the best hand and take the last trick. First to 52 points wins.
- Everyone gets five cards. Then you exchange cards three times: on your turn, put away the cards you do not want and get as many new ones. You may also stand and keep them all.
- After the first and the second exchange the hands are compared and the best poker hand scores: pair 1, two pair 2, three of a kind 3, straight 4, flush 5, full house 6, four of a kind 8, straight flush 11. If the best hand is shared, nobody scores.
- After the third exchange five tricks are played, no trumps. You must follow suit if you can. Whoever takes a trick leads the next.
- Whoever takes the last trick gets 5 points.
- Before the tricks a player with at least 15 points may call Chicago and promise to take all five tricks: 15 points if it works, minus 15 if not. Whoever first takes a trick from them gets 10 points. Nobody can go below 0 points.
- Last, the hands are shown and the best poker hand scores again, but not when someone called Chicago.
- Exchanging stops as soon as you reach the chosen limit, even during a deal. The default is 46 points; you can also choose 41, 42 or always allow exchanges. A deal is always played to the end: when someone has 52 points or more after it, the most points wins. A tie at the top plays one more deal.
Good to know
Exchanging
Tap the cards you want to swap away (they lift up) and then Exchange. Tap Stand to keep them all.
The last trick
Save your strongest card for the end: the last trick gives 5 points. Leading the last trick is an advantage.
Vs computer
Choose 1–5 opponents and how hard they are. A win gives experience points and shows on the top list.
With friends
Set up a table and share the code, or invite a friend from Spelbordet’s start page. If someone leaves, a computer player takes over.
Tips
Exchange with a plan
Keep a pair, or four cards towards a straight or flush, and swap the rest. Rarely swap away an ace.
Think about the last trick
The last trick is worth 5 points. Keep a high card in a suit others may lack.
Call Chicago only when sure
A failed Chicago costs 15 points. You need high cards in several suits and good aces.
The freeze
As you approach the score where you may no longer exchange, make sure your hand is good enough.
Keep an eye on the score
Only the best hand at the table scores. A pair is rarely enough after the first exchange, but it can win if the others swap many cards.
Variants and house rules
Whoever sets the table chooses.
- No exchanging from: 41 points, 42 points, 46 points, Always exchange. Exchanging stops as soon as the limit is reached, even during a deal.
- Calling Chicago (by default: on): Before the tricks a player with at least 15 points may call Chicago: taking all five tricks gives 15 points, else minus 15, and 10 points to whoever first takes a trick from them.
- Points for the hand after the tricks (by default: on): When the tricks are played the hands are shown and the best poker hand scores once more.
- A royal straight flush wins (by default: on): A royal straight flush (ten to ace in one suit) gives 52 points and wins at once.
- A two in the last trick gives 10 (by default: off): Take the last trick with a two and you get 10 points instead of 5.
- Points for the hand after a Chicago too (by default: off): When someone made a Chicago, the best poker hand still scores after the tricks. After a failed Chicago nobody scores the hand.
- Exchange one card and it is shown (by default: off): When a player exchanges just one card, the new card is turned face up for everyone to see. The player takes it, or puts it away and takes a new hidden card.
Questions and answers
How many can play Chicago?
Two to six players. Here you can also play alone against one to five computer players.
How many points do the hands score in Chicago?
Pair 1, two pairs 2, three of a kind 3, straight 4, flush 5, full house 6, four of a kind 8 and straight flush 11. The last trick scores 5 and a successful Chicago 15.
What does calling Chicago mean?
With at least 15 points you may promise, before the tricks, to take all five. If you do you score 15 points, if not you lose 15 and whoever first took a trick from you gets 10.
When may you no longer exchange cards?
With 46 points or more you may not exchange. The limit is a house rule: whoever sets up the table can choose 41, 46 or that everyone may always exchange.
Does it cost anything to play Chicago here?
No. Spelbordet is free during the beta, with no ads and nothing to download.
Ready for a deal? Play Chicago against the computer or invite friends.