How to Play the 56 Card Game for 6 Players

56 card game · 25 Oct 2026 · 2 min read · By Saj, Qrenzy Digital Solutions

56 is the big-table cousin of 28. Six players, two packs, two teams of three. If you know 28, you already know most of it.

The pack and points

56 uses 48 cards: two packs of J, 9, A, 10, K and Q in each suit. Ranking in each suit is J, 9, A, 10, K, Q. Points: Jack 3, Nine 2, Ace 1, Ten 1, King and Queen 0. That gives 56 points in total, hence the name.

Teams

Six players sit alternately, so each player has an opponent on both sides. Play goes anticlockwise.

Deal and bid

Each player receives eight cards, four at a time. The player on the dealer's right bids first and must bid at least 28. Bids go up to 56, and every bid names a trump suit or NT (no trump). Bidding continues until everyone else has passed. If the first bidder holds no point cards, there can be a redeal.

Trump is known

Unlike 28, the trump suit is stated in the bid, so everyone knows it. After an NT bid there is no trump.

Playing

Follow suit if you can. If not, you may cut with a trump or throw any card. When two identical cards (the same suit and rank from the two packs) fall in one trick, the one played first wins.

Doubling

Before the first lead, the opposing team may double and the bidders may redouble.

Scoring

Doubled and redoubled games multiply these, as shown on the 56 rules page. Many 56 tables use bidding codes to tell partners about their hands. Cheettukali leaves that to you and your partners.

Read the 56 strategy guide next.

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