Sergeant Major
How to play Sergeant Major
Sergeant Major is played by three people with a deck of 52 cards. A target number of tricks is set for each round: 8 for the dealer, 5 for the player to the left, and 3 for the player to the right. The game is won by the first person to take 12 or more tricks in a round.
There are 16 cards for each player, and 4 are set aside in a kitty. The dealer chooses a trump suit, throws away four cards, and then adds the kitty to their hand. Trump cards beat all other suits.
The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick, and the play continues clockwise. Each player must follow suit if they can. If not, they may play any card. If no trumps are played, the trick goes to the highest card of the lead suit.
The results are compared to the targets after all the tricks have been played. Over-trickers are players who go above and beyond their targets. People who don't make it are called under-trickers. This marks the start of the exchange of cards phase.
Over-trickers pick which cards to give away. On the other hand, undertrickers must return any higher cards of the same suit that they hold. This part of the game makes every hand more important from a strategic perspective.
As the rounds go on in the Sergeant Major card game, the deal moves clockwise, and with each new dealer, the targets change. To win, you need to plan, have a strategy, and know when to take risks.
This game is operated by World of Card Games. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.
About Sergeant Major
Looking for a card game that keeps you on your toes? Try Sergeant Major, also known as Three-Five-Eight, a free card game for three players. It differs from other trick-taking games because each person has a distinct goal, depending on their seat. This makes the game more challenging, and each round feels fresh and engaging.
In each match, players can call trump, manage card exchanges, and attempt to achieve the trick goals assigned to them. The dealer picks trump and draws cards from a special pile called the kitty. This gives the dealer even more power and control over the round.
You can play the Sergeant Major card game online against computer opponents or other people in public or private multiplayer matches. You don’t have to worry about keeping score; the game handles all those plays, targets, and card exchanges, allowing you to focus on your next move.
You can change the game's theme and card designs to achieve a personalized look and track your progress over time. If you like clever, competitive card games, this is a great choice.
Want to play more card games like this one? You can check our full collection of all card games, or you can look through Arkadium's library of free online games, which includes strategy games, puzzle games, and more.
This game is operated by World of Card Games. You can read their privacy policy here and terms of service here.