Rules

Setup

This game requires more than 4 and can be played with up to 10 players. One standard 52 card deck is used in this game. The number of cards dealt in the first game depends on the number of players. Typically a game starts with 7 cards, but, for instance, if there are 8 players then the game will start with 6 cards and so on. The number of cards dealt decreases for each round until it reaches 1. After that, the number of cards dealt increases until it reaches the number of cards that the game started with. The trump follows a pattern of spades, diamonds, clubs, hearts and a no trump round for each round.

Precedence

The trump has the highest precedence except for the no trump game. The ace within a suit has the highest rank. The rest of the cards follow the regular rank order, the King is higher than the Queen and the Queen is higher than the Jack and so on. If a player has the suit that is being played, then he must play that suit. If the player does not have that suit then he can use the trump to get the hand or “fuse” meaning play any other suit to let go of the hand. For instance, if you don’t have clubs, and the trump is diamonds, then you can “cut” using the trump (play a card of diamonds) and win the hand if nobody else cuts it with a higher ranking card. In the "no trump" round players don't have the ability cut and hence the highest card of the suit that was played first in the round has higest precedence.

Objective

Once the cards are dealt, each player takes turn to predict the hands they would make for that game. The goal is to make exactly the number of hands that you predicted. If you accomplish it, then you will get positive points. If you break, or you don’t reach the goal, you will get negative points for that game.

Rounds

Players take turns to start each round. In a four-player game, Player 1 starts the first game, Player 2 in the second game, Player 3 in the third, and Player 4 in the fourth game.

Restriction

In Judgement, everybody cannot be happy, and at least one person must break. The total number of hands predicted by all the players cannot add up to the number of cards that are dealt in that game. For instance, in a game of 7 cards, and there are 4 players, in which Player 1 predicts 0, Player 2 predicts 4, player 3 predicts 2, then Player 4 can’t predict 1. If Player 4 is allowed to predict 1, then that opens up the possibility of everyone being happy, because it would add up to 7, so he can only predict 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hands.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play with my friends globally?

Yes, this game can be played around the world. All you need is a computer device or a mobile phone with an internet connection to play.

Can I play on my mobile phone?

Yes, You can play this game on any device.

Can I play on my tablet?

Yes, you can play Judgement on your tablet.

Do you have an Mobile App?

No, we do not have a mobile app currently. We wanted the game to be available on all devices and hence we support the most prominent browsers. We may eventually build a Mobile App.

How much does it cost?

This is a fun, family / home project and hence it is absolutely free to play.

How do I host a game session from my friends and family?

To host your own private game session, go to Home, enter your name and press the “Host Game” button. A link should appear in the box below, press “Copy” button and share the link with your friends. Then, click on the “Join Game” button to join yourself. After all your friends join, press the “Start Game” button to begin.

How do I start the game?

Once you join the game you should see a “Start Game” button below your name on the table. After every other player joins press the “Start Game” button to begin the game.

How do I know if it’s my turn to play?

The player whose turn is to play next (either bid or play) will have his/her name blinking.

I hosted, joined and started the game, and my friends are trying to join but they cannot. What could be wrong?

Once the game is in session other players cannot join. Please do not start the game until all players in your group have joined.

How does scoring work?

Scoring depends upon the number of hands you predicted and whether you make those many hands or not.Scoring strategy can be modified depending upon the variation you play. The game supports 3 different scoring strategies currently. The host of game can tap on the Options menu and select the scoring strategy. The default scoring strategy is "High Incentive".

High Incentive: The score for a game will be (((hands predicted + 1) * 10) + hands predicted). If you make the hands, then you get a positive score and if you don’t make the exact number of hands, then you get a negative score.
Medium Incentive: If you make the exact number of hands you bid then you get 10 * the number of hands you bid. Otherwise, you get 0.
Low Incentive: The score for a game will be ((hands predicted * 2) + 5) if you make the exact number of hands you bid, if you don’t make the exact number of hands, then you get a 0.

I played the card but it came back to its original position. What could be wrong?

You are probably playing an invalid card. You must play the card that has the same suit that was played first if you have one. If you don't have the card with the suit that was played first then you can either play any other suit. For instance, if diamonds is being played, and you have a card with diamond but you try playing a card with a different suit then the card will return back.

Why does my card that I play disappear sometimes?

That is a small issue that we are still working on. We will try to fix it as soon as possible. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Why do I see an "Invalid bid" message on bidding?

In this game, if you are last player to bid, you are not allowed to bid a number that could add up with the other bids to the number of cards dealt. You must bid a different number.

Can my friends join or leave midway during the game?

No, they cannot do that. The game is automatically locked after starting, and if they leave, the game will not continue. You could start a new session in case someone from your group can no longer play.

My game seems to be stuck, what could be wrong?

A person in your group may have left the page. This game needs every player to be on the site to continue. Please ask the player to join again using the same name.