How to Play Oh Hell
The trick-taking game where exact bids are everything
Objective
Bid exactly how many tricks you'll win each round - no more, no less. Making your bid scores points; missing it scores nothing.
Players
3-7 players (best with 4-5). Each player plays individually - no partnerships.
Cards
Standard 52-card deck. Cards rank A-K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 (Ace high).
Game Length
Multiple rounds going "up and down" - typically 15-25 rounds depending on player count.
Game Setup
Determine Dealer
Draw cards - lowest card deals first. The deal rotates clockwise each round.
Calculate Maximum Hand Size
Divide 52 by the number of players (round down). This is your maximum cards per hand.
- 3 players: 17 cards max
- 4 players: 13 cards max
- 5 players: 10 cards max
- 6 players: 8 cards max
- 7 players: 7 cards max
Plan the Rounds
The game goes "up and down the river" - starting at 1 card, increasing to maximum, then decreasing back to 1.
Round Structure
Deal Cards
Deal the appropriate number of cards for the current round (1 in round 1, 2 in round 2, etc.). Cards are dealt one at a time, clockwise.
Reveal Trump
After dealing, flip the next card face-up. Its suit is trump for this round. If it's the last card in the deck (or in some variations, specific rounds), play with no trump.
Bidding
Starting with the player left of the dealer, each player bids the number of tricks they expect to win (0 to the number of cards dealt). Bids are final once made.
Play Tricks
Player left of dealer leads the first trick. Each player plays one card clockwise. You must follow the led suit if able; otherwise play any card.
Win Tricks
The highest card of the led suit wins unless a trump card was played. If trumped, highest trump wins. Winner leads next trick.
Bidding Rules
The Hook (Dealer's Restriction)
A common rule: The dealer (who bids last) cannot bid a number that would make the total bids equal the number of tricks available. This ensures at least one player will miss their bid each round!
Example: In a 5-card round with bids of 1, 2, and 1 (total 4), the dealer cannot bid 1. They must bid 0, 2, or higher.
Tracking Bids
Write down all bids before play begins. Many groups also track total bids vs. available tricks to show who's "over" or "under."
Trump Rules
- The turned-up card determines trump suit for the round
- Trump cards beat all non-trump cards
- You can only play trump if you cannot follow the led suit OR if trump was led
- In no-trump rounds, only the led suit matters
Standard Scoring
Oh Hell rewards precision - you must make exactly your bid to score.
Making Your Bid
Missing Your Bid
Scoring Examples
Round Example (5-card round)
Bidding Zero is Valuable!
A bid of 0, if successful, still earns 10 points. In small hands (1-3 cards), bidding zero is often the smartest play, especially with weak cards.
Winning the Game
After all rounds are completed (up and down the river), the player with the most total points wins.
Typical Game Length
- 4 players: 25 rounds (1 to 13 and back to 1)
- 5 players: 19 rounds (1 to 10 and back to 1)
- 6 players: 15 rounds (1 to 8 and back to 1)
Alternative Scoring Systems
1 point for making your bid, 0 for missing. Simple but less strategic.
Make bid: 10 + tricks. Miss bid: Lose 1 point per trick off (over or under). Adds risk!
Make bid: Score = (10 + bid)². Miss bid: 0. Makes high bids very valuable!
Bidding Strategy
Count Your Sure Tricks
High trumps (A, K, Q) are nearly always tricks. Off-suit Aces are tricks if you have length. Start with sure tricks, then adjust for maybes.
Consider Your Position
Bidding first is hardest - you have no information. Later positions can adjust based on others' bids and the hook restriction.
Small Hands = Low Bids
In 1-3 card hands, volatility is high. Even good cards can lose to trump. Bid conservatively in small hands.
Playing Strategy
Lead Your Losers Early
If you bid 1 but have 3 cards, lead your weak cards first. Save your winner for when you need it.
Control Trump Carefully
If you have trump, decide early: are they winners (to make tricks) or savers (to avoid taking tricks)?
Watch the Bid Count
If total bids exceed tricks available, be aggressive - someone will get extra tricks. If under, someone will come up short.
Spoil Others' Bids
Once you've made your bid, focus on disrupting others. Give unwanted tricks to players trying to stay low, or steal tricks from those reaching high.
Advanced Tactics
The Dreaded Overbid
If you've already hit your bid with cards remaining, you must duck. Play low cards under winners, trump only when forced. Getting an extra trick is as bad as falling short!
Card Counting Matters
Track which high cards have been played, especially trump. In later tricks, knowing what's out helps you judge whether to play high or low.
Position-Specific Tips
- First Bidder: Bid conservatively - you'll be wrong more often without information
- Middle Bidders: Adjust based on early bids - if low, you might bid higher
- Dealer (Last): Use the hook to your advantage - sometimes being forced off your ideal bid can actually help if you play well
- Leader: Lead suits you want returned; avoid leading trump unless extracting them benefits you
Regional Names
Oh Hell goes by many names depending on where you play:
- Oh Hell / Oh Heck: Most common names
- Oh Pshaw: Polite version
- Up and Down the River: Describes the hand size pattern
- Blob: UK name
- Blackout: When bidding zero is called "blackout"
- Elevator: Another reference to going up and down
- Bust: What happens when you miss your bid
Popular Variations
Dealer can bid any amount, even if it makes total bids equal tricks. More forgiving but less strategic.
All players write bids secretly and reveal simultaneously. Eliminates positional advantage but increases chaos.
Instead of random trump, cycle through: Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, No Trump. More predictable for planning.
Play only ascending (1 to max) or only descending (max to 1). Shorter game, about half the rounds.
Add special rounds: 1-card rounds with specific trump suits, "7 of trump" rounds, etc. More variety!