The most played card games in The Netherlands

Card games are a lot of fun to play. Whether playing one-on-one with a friend or against several people at a time, card games require concentration, strategic thinking and can help you to build connections with others and practise your brain power.

This is a very popular traditional card game that Dutch people love to play. ‘jas’ (Jack) is the highest value trump card in the same way that it is in other card games from the family of Jass, and ‘klaver’ means clubs (or literally it means clover). The game consists of two teams of two, with partners sitting opposite one another. Using a piquet deck of 32 cards, the object of the game is to score as many points as possible in 16 hands.

Playing the game

The cards are dealt in groups of 3 cards, first with 3 cards given to each player, then 2 cards, and then back to 3 cards. In each hand, the player and their partner who chooses trumps to collect more than half of the available points. If the object is failed, the opposing team receives all their points. Taking tricks that contain valuable cards leads to points being acquired, as the deal and play is performed on a clockwise basis and the turn to deal passes to the left from the person who was the dealer in the previous hand. The trump suit is determined by turning from the deck of low cards 2-6 or can be determined by the first player after the dealer.

A popular card game in the Netherlands, that is sometimes known as Bela, it is a close cousin to Klaverjassen. It was originally a game from Hungary but has become a favourite in other parts of the world, especially in the Netherlands. The game is played between two people with the object to score points by declaring sequences and winning high-scoring cards in tricks. Six cards are dealt to each player, three at a time, and an up-card is turned over to propose trump, which is where the trump bidding starts. The non-dealer says ‘pass’, ‘take’ (meaning the turned up suit is accepted as trump), or ‘Schmeiss’ (this is an offer to throw the hand in, where new hands are dealt if the dealer accepts). If the dealer refuses, they become the maker with the up-card accepted as trump. If both players pass on the first round the non-dealer must name a new trump suit out of the remaining three, or it is passed again. Two passes lead to the hand being thrown in and no re-deal.

Playing the game

A three-card sequence is worth 20 points, a four-card sequence worth 50 points. When sequences are of an equal value, the one with the higher top card is better, and if sequences tie in rank, one in trump beats one not in trump. The dealer will now declare ‘no sequence’ or ask the question, ‘how high?’ before the play begins. A trick is won by the higher trump or the higher card if there is no trump. If unable to follow suit you may discard. If you hold the trump out of K-Q, declare 20 points for Bella when playing the second of the two cards in a trick. Players combine the trick score with any sequences or Bella, and the first person to 500 points wins.

A Dutch card game played in the round, using a pack of 32 cards. Each player is given four cards, and the aim is to win the last trick to avoid being given a penalty point. There are no trumps in this game. The highest card is usually the 10 in each suit, with the lowest the Jack. The stake can be increased during the game by knocking, increasing the penalty points scored by any person who does not fold or who does not win the last trick. Toepen is often played as a drinking game or as a tournament game, with different variations played across the country.

Playing the game

The first trick comes from the player on the dealer's left, with players following suit if they can, or they can play any card. The trick is won by the highest card of the suit. The winner of the fourth and last trick deals during the next hand. Players may knock the table with their knuckles during any point of the hand, increasing the value of the hand by one life. When a player knocks, the other players can stay in, risking losing an extra life, or fold, losing the current stake. Any player staying till the end loses one more life than the total number of knocks. When a player has lost ten lives, this player is the loser and the game ends. If it is a drinking game, the loser buys a round of drinks.

One of the most popular card games that has taken on a life of its own through live casino options in the Netherlands is blackjack. Dutch players love playing blackjack at a live casino, playing against a human dealer using a live stream. Since online gambling has been legalised in the Netherlands, the iGaming landscape has blossomed, with live casino options providing the favourite casino games through an online account, offering an authentic casino experience through your phone or laptop and with chat functions allowing for a social interaction with both dealers and other players.

Playing the game

The rules are the same as traditional blackjack in that the point of the game is for you, as the player, to beat the dealer. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to reach 21 points, all you need to ensure is that you have a higher value hand that the dealer is showing. Each player is dealt two cards at the very beginning of the game, and they can choose to then take more cards, pass, or split. The dealer is always obliged to draw a card until they have a value of 17 or higher in their hand. If the dealer ends up with a hand value greater than 21, all the remaining players win the game.

Whether you are sitting down with a friend and a pack of cards for some competitive fun, as part of a drinking game with your work friends or you are playing some blackjack at a live casino, Dutch people love playing card games. What are your favourite card games to play in different scenarios? It can be fun, challenging, strategic and bring you closer together with the other players.