29 Card Game Tips: How to Win More Hands

29 is a game of four cards of information and eight cards of play. These tips will make you a steadier bidder and a more useful partner. Try each one at the free 29 table.

1. Bid on Jacks and length, not on hope

Your first four cards decide the bid. A Jack with another card of the same suit is the backbone of a bid; two Jacks make you a serious bidder. A good rough count: start at 16 with one Jack and three cards of a suit, add a couple of points for each extra Jack or 9. Remember your partner's eight cards will hold around 7 points on average, so you are bidding for the team, not just yourself.

2. Choose the trump you are longest in

Pick the suit where you hold the most cards, especially the Jack and 9 of it. A long trump suit lets you win back control after the opponents take a round, and makes the Pair more likely if you pick up the King and Queen later.

3. Keep the trump hidden as long as it helps you

As the bidder, the hidden trump is your weapon. The opponents don't know which suit to protect, so lead your strong side suits first and let them guess. Don't force a reveal early unless you need to cut a big point card.

4. As a defender, ask for the trump at the right moment

When you can't follow suit, asking for the trump is only worth it if you can cut something valuable or your side needs the information. Remember: on Cheettukali, if you ask and hold a trump, you must cut with it. If the round is worth nothing, it is often better to throw a low card and keep the bidder guessing.

5. Feed points to a partner who is winning the round

If your partner is clearly winning the round, play your 10 or Ace on it. If the opponents are winning, play your lowest card (7 or 8) and save the points.

6. Count the Jacks and 9s

There are only four Jacks and four 9s, worth 20 of the 28 points. Keep track of which have fallen. Once all Jacks of a suit are out, the 9 is the boss, and so on down.

7. Use the Pair, and fear it

If you are bidding and hold the King and Queen of what may be trumps, you can afford to bid 4 higher, since the Pair will lower your target. As a defender, holding the Pair lets you double a tight bid with more confidence.

8. Single hand is rarer than you think

Go Single hand only with five or more cards that are certain winners. Losing it costs 3 game points, half the way to −6.

9. Double tight bids, not hopeful ones

Double when you can see where the bidders will lose points, for example when you hold two Jacks outside their likely trump. A redoubled loss costs 4.

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