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Oh Hell is a trick-taking game where the challenge is precision. Before every hand, each player bids exactly how many tricks they will win. You only score if you hit your bid exactly, and the number of cards changes from round to round.
- Players
- You + 3 computer players
- Cards
- Standard 52 cards
- Game length
- 15–25 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
How to play Oh Hell
- There are 13 rounds. Hand sizes go down from 7 cards to 1 and back up to 7.
- After the deal, a card is turned up to set the trump suit.
- Each player bids the exact number of tricks they expect to take. The dealer may not bid a number that makes the bids add up to the number of tricks.
- Players must follow suit if they can. The highest trump, or the highest card of the suit led, wins the trick.
- A player who makes their bid exactly scores points, commonly 10 plus the number of tricks bid.
How to win at Oh Hell: strategy and tips
In Oh Hell you score only when you take exactly the number of tricks you bid: 10 points plus your bid. Taking one trick too many is just as bad as one too few, so the game is all about control.
Bid what you can count
Count the cards that should win on their own: aces, high trumps, and kings in suits where you hold few cards. Middle cards are unreliable. In the short rounds with one or two cards, a single ace or high trump is worth a lot more than in the long rounds.
Plan around the dealer's rule
The dealer bids last and may not choose a bid that makes the total equal the number of tricks. That means someone always ends up unhappy. When you deal, think early about which bids you can live with. When others deal, a total bid close to the number of tricks warns you that tricks will be fought over.
Get your tricks, then hide
Once you have the tricks you bid, start throwing your high cards away on tricks someone else is already winning. Get rid of dangerous cards early, while other players still want tricks and will take them.
Chase the tricks you still need
If you are short, lead your strong cards while they can still win, and use small trumps on suits you have run out of. Watch which suits the others have run out of, because they can trump those suits too.
Use zero bids wisely
A zero bid is worth 10 points and is strong with low cards and no trumps. Get rid of your highest cards early, while other cards are still in play to beat them.
Mistakes to avoid
- Bidding on hope, such as counting a queen as a sure trick.
- Keeping an ace until the last trick, where it wins whether you want it or not.
- Not watching how many tricks the others still need.
Oh Hell questions
Why is it called Oh Hell?
The name comes from what players tend to say when they realize they are going to take one trick too many or too few.
Is Oh Hell the same as Contract Whist?
Yes, Contract Whist and Up and Down the River are common names for the same game. Scoring details vary by region.
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