Chicago – rules for the card game
Chicago is a classic Swedish card game for 2–4 players built on poker hands and trick play. The goal is to be first to 52 points – but anyone who overshoots drops back, so precision matters most. Here are the rules step by step, with the scoring table and the most common variants. At the bottom of the page you can play Chicago online right away, against friends or against bots.
What is Chicago?
Chicago is a classic Swedish card game for 2–4 players, played with a standard 52-card deck without jokers. The game mixes poker and trick play: you exchange cards to build a strong poker hand, declare it, and then play five tricks. First to exactly 52 points wins; overshoot and you drop back to 26.
The goal of the game
Every deal can earn points in three ways: through the best hand, through tricks, and by calling Chicago. The first player to reach exactly 52 points wins. If you go over 52 you drop back to 26 points – landing exactly is the heart of the game. (Under house rules, 52 points or more counts as a win instead – see Variants.)
How a deal plays out
- Deal. Every player receives five cards. The dealer rotates every deal.
- Exchange. The game has three exchange laps. You discard up to five cards (four in tournament play) and draw new ones from the deck. In the third lap you may instead swap for the open card lying face-up on the table – first come, first served.
- "Anyone got anything?" After laps one and two the players declare in turn which hand they hold – but only if it beats or matches the latest declaration. With the same hand type the key cards decide. Only the best declared hand scores; weaker hands stay hidden.
- Chicago call. A player with at least 15 points may call Chicago. The first caller closes the window and leads out the trick play.
- Trick play. Five tricks are played. You must follow suit if you can, and the highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
- End of the deal. The last trick is worth +5 points (+10 if it is won with a two), and the best hand after the exchange scores once more.
Scoring table
| Hand | Points |
|---|---|
| Pair | +1 |
| Two pair | +2 |
| Three of a kind | +3 |
| Straight | +4 |
| Flush | +5 |
| Full house | +6 |
| Four of a kind | +8 |
| Straight flush | +11 |
| Royal flush | +20 |
The ace counts both high and low – A-2-3-4-5 is a valid straight. The points follow the classic preset; in the game room every value can be adjusted freely.
Chicago – the call that can turn the game
- At least 15 points are required to call Chicago.
- If the call succeeds – you take all five tricks – you score +15 points.
- If any opponent takes even a single trick the call fails: −15 points, and the first player to break it earns a +10 breaker bonus.
- During a Chicago deal there is no regular hand scoring.
Köpstopp (buying stop)
Köpstopp means you may no longer exchange cards once you have reached a certain score – your hand is locked for the rest of the deal. Classically, köpstopp applies at 42 points.
Variants
Chicago is played with many house rules. The app ships four ready-made presets, and every value can be adjusted in the game room before the start.
| Preset | Differences |
|---|---|
| House rules | 52 points or more wins, royal flush wins instantly, köpstopp at 47, no breaker bonus |
| Classic | Exactly 52 points, over 52 drops back to 26, köpstopp at 42, four of a kind scores 8, breaker bonus +10 |
| Tournament | As classic, but max four-card exchange, köpstopp at 41, four of a kind scores 7, royal flush wins instantly |
| Relaxed | As classic, but no köpstopp, and on a tied best hand every involved player scores |
Play Chicago online – free
Now you know the rules. Create a table and play Chicago right in the browser against friends – or against the bots when you want to practise. No download required.
Play nowFrequently asked questions
- How many players does Chicago need?
- Chicago is played by 2–4 players at the same table.
- What deck is Chicago played with?
- A standard deck of 52 cards, no jokers.
- How many cards does each player get?
- Five cards per deal. In the third exchange lap you may also swap for the open card on the table.
- How many points do you need to call Chicago?
- At least 15. A successful call scores +15 points; a failed one −15.
- Can several players call Chicago?
- No. The first player to call Chicago closes the window, and trick play begins right away.
- Can you still exchange cards after köpstopp?
- No. Once köpstopp is reached – classically at 42 points – your hand is locked for the rest of the deal.
- How do you win Chicago?
- The first player to reach exactly 52 points wins. If you exceed 52 you drop back to 26 points. (Under house rules, 52 points or more is enough.)
- What does "Anyone got anything?" mean?
- That is how players declare their hands after the first two exchange laps. Only the best declared hand scores; weaker hands stay hidden.
- What does köpstopp mean?
- At a certain score, classically 42, the player may no longer exchange cards during the deal.
- Do you have to call Chicago to win?
- No, the call is optional. Many deals are decided by hand points and the last trick, without any Chicago call.