28 vs 29 Card Game: What's the Difference?
28 and 29 are the same game at heart: four players, two teams, 32 cards, the Jack and the 9 on top, and a trump card kept face down. The differences are in the bidding and the scoring. If you learned one, you can play the other in five minutes.
Side by side
| Compare | 28 | 29 |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 4 (2 vs 2) | 4 (2 vs 2) |
| Cards | 32 (7 to Ace) | 32 (7 to Ace) |
| Card order | J 9 A 10 K Q 8 7 | J 9 A 10 K Q 8 7 |
| Points in the pack | 28 | 28 (29 with a point for the last round, rarely used now) |
| Bidding range | 14 to 28 | 15 or 16 to 28 |
| Bidding over your partner | Needs 20 (Honours) | Allowed at any level |
| Second bidding round | Yes, raise to 24+ after all 8 cards | No |
| Pair (King + Queen of trumps) | Not used | Changes the target by 4 |
| Single hand | Not used | Yes, ±3 |
| Scoring | By bid size: +1/−2, +2/−3, +3/−4 | +1 / −1 per hand, game ends at +6 or −6 |
| Where it's played most | Kerala, Gulf Malayali groups | All over India, Bangladesh, Nepal |
Why is 29 called 29 when the points are 28?
The cards add up to 28 in both games. Older 29 tables gave one extra point to the team that won the last round, which made 29. Most players today don't count that point, but the name stayed.
Which one should you play?
- Play 28 if you grew up with it in Kerala, or you like bigger swings: a high bid wins or loses more, and the second round lets a strong hand take the call away.
- Play 29 if you want the version most of India knows, with the Pair and the race to +6.
And 40 and 56?
Both are six-player versions. The 40 card game adds the four 3s, which rank equal to the Jacks and bring the total to 40. 56 uses two packs of J 9 A 10 K Q for 56 points, with the trump named in the bid.
🃏 Try both: play 28 or play 29 free, no download.
FAQ
Is 28 card game the same as 29?
They use the same cards, order and points. 28 has Honours at 20 and a second bidding round; 29 has the Pair, Single hand and the ±6 race.
Which is older, 28 or 29?
28 is generally considered the older form, with 29 developing from it. 29 is now the more widely played across India.
Can 28 and 29 be played with 6 players?
The six-player versions are the 40 card game (with the 3s added) and 56 (two packs).