Batak Rules: How to Play the Turkish Bidding Card Game
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Batak is Turkey's favourite trick-taking card game, played with a standard 52-card deck. In Bidding Batak four players get 13 cards each, the highest bidder names trump and must win at least that many tricks, or go bust. Zipi offers four versions: Bidding, Partners, Spades Trump and three-player Kitty Batak.
▶ Play Batak (Turkish Spades) nowFree, no download, no sign-up.
Cards and variants
A standard 52-card deck is used, with aces high and twos low. The four versions in Zipi:
| Variant | Players | Cards | Bids |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidding Batak | 4, each for themselves | 13 | 4-13 |
| Partners Batak | 4, partners opposite | 13 | 6-13 (team) |
| Spades Trump | 4, each for themselves | 13 | None, spades always trump |
| Kitty Batak | 3 | 16 + 4 kitty | 5-16 |
Dealing and bidding
After the deal, bidding starts with the player next to the dealer. Each player either bids higher than the current bid or passes; a pass is final for that hand. When one player is left, they win the contract and become the bidder.
- The minimum bid is 4 in Bidding Batak, 6 in Partners and 5 in Kitty.
- If everyone else passes without a bid, the last player must take the contract at the minimum.
- The bidder names the trump suit and leads the first trick.
In Kitty Batak the bidder first adds the four-card kitty to their hand, buries any four cards and then names trump.
Playing a trick
The bidder leads and the others play one card each in turn. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless trumps were played, in which case the highest trump wins. The winner leads the next trick until all cards are played.
In Zipi playable cards glow and the others are dimmed; tap a wrong card and the game tells you why it is not allowed.
Compulsory rules: follow suit, trump and overtake
- Follow suit: if you hold the suit led, you must play it.
- Compulsory trump: if you cannot follow suit you must play a trump if you have one. Only with no trumps may you discard anything.
- Overtake: if you can beat the highest card on the table you must. When following suit play a higher card of that suit; when trumping, beat any trump already down.
- Trumps must be broken: nobody, including the bidder, may lead a trump until someone has played one, unless they hold only trumps.
The overtake and trump-breaking rules can be switched off in Zipi's menu; both are on by default, as in most Turkish games.
Batak scoring
| Situation | Score |
|---|---|
| Bidder makes the contract | + tricks taken |
| Bidder goes bust | − the bid |
| Other players | + tricks taken |
| Spades Trump (no bidding) | Everyone + tricks taken |
Example: bid 7 and take 8 tricks for +8; take 6 and you score −7. In Partners Batak the two partners' tricks are combined; the bidding team scores its total if it makes the bid or minus the bid if not, and the other team scores its tricks.
Zipi variant: some tables also bust any non-bidder who takes no tricks, or ignore tricks beyond the bid. In Zipi every non-bidder simply scores each trick they win.
How the match ends
A standard match is 11 hands and quick mode is 5 hands. The deal moves one seat after each hand. After the last hand the highest total (the higher team in Partners) wins. The score sheet records each hand's bid, trump and result, and your game is saved so you can continue later.
Common mistakes
- Overbidding: going bust costs the full bid, so bidding 9 and taking 7 is −9.
- Not counting trumps: track how many of the 13 trumps have gone or the last tricks will surprise you.
- Forgetting the overtake rule: you cannot play low while holding a higher card, so plan for it.
- Burying the wrong cards: in Kitty Batak bury short, low side cards, not trumps or aces.
Batak strategy tips for beginners
- Count your tricks: each ace is roughly one trick, and high trumps plus length in trumps add more. Zipi's bidding panel shows an estimated hand strength.
- Make your longest suit trump: five or six cards in one suit give you control.
- Draw trumps: as bidder, once trumps are broken lead high trumps to pull the opponents' trumps, then cash your side suits.
- Create a void: running out of a suit early lets you trump it later.
- Attack the bidder's weakness: as a defender, lead the bidder's short suit rather than their strong one.
- Read your partner: in Partners Batak the cards your partner plays hint at the suit they want.
Play Batak online on Zipi
Batak runs in your browser on Zipi with no download. In the career you play against bots and level up with each match you win; higher-level bots evaluate their hand before bidding, count cards, draw trumps and signal to their partner. Press Online to invite friends with a room code or invite link, or get matched with players from around the world; bots take empty seats and each turn lasts 25 seconds. There is no chat, only quick reactions.
FAQ
What is the minimum bid in Batak?
In Zipi it is 4 in Bidding Batak, 6 in Partners and 5 in Kitty Batak. If everyone else passes, the last player must take the contract at the minimum.
What does going bust mean?
If the bidder takes fewer tricks than they bid, they lose points equal to the bid. Bid 8 and take 6, and you score −8.
Must I trump if I cannot follow suit?
Yes. In Zipi trumping is compulsory when you are void in the suit led, and you must overtrump a trump already on the table if you can.
Can trumps be led before they are broken?
No. Nobody may lead a trump until one has been played, unless they hold only trumps. You can turn this rule off in the menu.
How does Kitty Batak work?
It is for three players with 16 cards each and a four-card kitty. The bidder takes the kitty, buries four cards and names trump; scoring is the same as Bidding Batak.
Is there bidding in Spades Trump Batak?
No. Spades are always trump and every player scores the tricks they take.
How long is a Batak match?
In Zipi a standard match is 11 hands and a quick match 5 hands. The highest total wins.
