How to Play Twenty-Five

The Basics

25 is Ireland's national card game, played with a standard 52-card deck. Each round, 5 cards are dealt to each of 4 players, and one card is turned up to determine the trump suit. Players take tricks, and the first to reach 25 points wins the game.

Scoring

• Each trick won = 5 points
• Win all 5 tricks (a "25") = 10 bonus points (total 35)
• First to 25 points wins the game

Trump Hierarchy

Trumps beat all other suits. The trump order (highest to lowest) is:

• 5 of trumps — highest card in the game
• Jack of trumps — second highest
• Ace of Hearts — third highest (always trump, even if hearts isn't the trump suit)
• Ace of trumps (if hearts is not trumps)
• King, Queen, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2 of trumps (in that order)

Non-Trump Suits

For red suits (Hearts/Diamonds): A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (Ace high)

For black suits (Clubs/Spades): K, Q, J, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (Ace low)

Robbing the Trump

If you hold the Ace of the trump suit, you may "rob" the turned-up trump card — swap it into your hand and discard any card face-down. You must rob before you play your first card.

Following Suit

You must follow the led suit if you can. However, you may always play a trump instead of following suit (trumping is optional unless trump is led). You cannot renege (refuse to follow suit) unless playing a trump.