304 Card Game Points and Bidding
304 is a four-player trump game from the same family as 28, popular in Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The numbers are bigger, but the structure is familiar.
Card points
| Card | Points |
|---|---|
| Jack | 30 |
| Nine | 20 |
| Ace | 11 |
| Ten | 10 |
| King | 3 |
| Queen | 2 |
| 8, 7 | 0 |
That is 76 points per suit and 304 in the whole pack.
Ranking
In every suit: J, 9, A, 10, K, Q, 8, 7.
Bidding
Four cards are dealt first. The player on the dealer's right must open. Bids go up in tens from 160 to 300. To bid over your own partner you need at least 200 on Cheettukali. If the first bidder's four cards hold no points, a redeal is allowed.
Trump and second round
The final bidder places a card face down; its suit is trump. After four more cards each, anyone may raise to 250 or more, and a new bidder places a new trump card. The other team may double and the bidders may redouble before the first lead.
Scoring on Cheettukali
| Bid | Made | Failed |
|---|---|---|
| 160 to 190 | +1 | −2 |
| 200 to 240 | +2 | −3 |
| 250 to 300 | +3 | −4 |
304 has many local versions. Some start the bidding at 150 or 170, count "stones" instead of points, or add special bids. The version here is close to 28 so that anyone who knows 28 can start at once.
Tip
A single Jack is worth 30 points, so winning the trick that holds it matters more than any other. See the 304 strategy guide and the full rules.
🃏 Try it now: play 304 free in your browser, no download, no money.
FAQ
How many points are in 304?
304 in total, 76 in each suit.
What is the lowest bid in 304?
160 in the rules used on Cheettukali. Other groups use 150 or 170.
What is the highest card in 304?
The Jack, worth 30 points.
Is 304 like 28?
Yes, they belong to the same family, with different card values and bigger bids.