Forty Fives
Traditional Irish and Canadian partnership trick game. Five of trumps and Jack lead the pack, while the Ace of Hearts is always third-best trump.
How to play
4 players play in two fixed partnerships (0 & 2 vs 1 & 3) with a standard 52-card deck.
Each player receives 5 cards, and the 21st card is turned face-up to establish trump.
A player holding the Ace of trump robs the turned-up trump card, swapping their worst card for it.
Trump rank: 5 (highest), Jack, Ace of Hearts (always 3rd trump!), Ace of trump, King, Queen, followed by spot cards.
Red spot trumps rank 10 down to 2; black spot trumps rank in reverse (2 up to 10).
Off-suit spot cards: Red ranks high-to-low; Black ranks reverse (2 high, 10 low).
Each trick won awards 5 points to the partnership.
First team to reach the target score (default 45) wins the game.
About Forty Fives
Forty-Fives (45s) is a beloved traditional trick-taking game originating in Ireland and widely played across Atlantic Canada. Four players in fixed partnerships compete using a 52-card deck to reach 45 points first. The trump ranking features unique hierarchy: the 5 of trumps is highest (the right five), followed by the Jack of trumps, the Ace of Hearts (always the third-highest trump regardless of trump suit), the Ace of trumps, and the King. Bidding runs from 15 to 30 points. The dealer can rob the turned-up trump card if holding the Ace of trumps. Each trick won scores 5 points.
Forty Fives at a glance
| Players | 4 players |
|---|---|
| Type | Table game: play online with friends, or with bots in any seat |
| Family | Trick-taking |
| Bot levels | Easy, medium and hard |
| Options | Target Score: 45 or 90 |
| Turn timer (online) | 30 seconds |
| Cost | Free, no download |
Tips for Forty Fives
- Always remember the special trumps hierarchy: 5 of trumps is unbeatable, followed by the Jack of trumps, then the Ace of Hearts.
- The 5 can renege (withhold) even when trump is led unless a higher card is played, which is impossible since the 5 is the top card.
- Coordinate bidding with your partner: bid 20 or 25 when holding the 5 or Jack with supporting side Aces.
Questions about Forty Fives
How many people can play Forty Fives?
Forty Fives is played by exactly 4 players. Real players and bots can share a table, so a game can always start even if you do not have enough people.
Can I play Forty Fives against the computer?
Yes. Pick easy, medium or hard bots and start straight away. Bots only use what a player in their seat could see, so they cannot peek at your cards.
Can I play Forty Fives online with friends?
Yes. Create a private room and share its code, or join a quick match. If someone drops out mid-game, a bot takes over their seat.
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