Sergeant Major at a glance
Sergeant Major gives three players different targets: eight, five, and three tricks. Beating your target improves your next hand through an exchange. The targets rotate, so everyone takes a turn in the dealer’s stronger position.
- Players
- 3 · Individual
- Deck
- 52 cards
- Hand
- 16 cards · 4-card kitty
- Goal
- 12 tricks in one hand
How to play Sergeant Major online
Play free in your browser, with no download or account required. Choose the kind of table you want to join.
Practice with computers
Choose Play with computers and a pace: Relaxed, Friendly, or Quick. Use Hint when you need help finding a move.
Invite your friends
Choose Invite friends and share Copy invite or the room code. Friends join through Have an invite? The host can fill empty seats with computers.
Find an online opponent
Choose Find online players to look for other people. If no matching players are available, you can practice with computers instead.
Computer games also need an internet connection. The table handles dealing, legal moves, and scoring. These rules describe the version played here; other tables may use different house rules.
Rules of Sergeant Major
Deal and rotating targets
Deal sixteen cards each and a four-card kitty. The dealer’s target is eight tricks, the left seat’s five, and the right seat’s three. These targets rotate with the dealer.
Exchanges after the first hand
After the first hand, over-trickers exchange low cards with under-trickers according to the previous hand’s surplus and deficit. A recipient returns their highest card in the same suit if it is higher; otherwise the offered card is returned.
Trump, discards, and the kitty
The dealer names trump and discards four cards before taking the kitty. If an under-tricking dealer receives higher kitty cards in suits surrendered in the exchange, those cards are shown to the affected player.
Scoring and winning
Playing and winning
Left of dealer leads. Follow suit if possible; otherwise play anything. Highest trump wins, or highest of the led suit. The first player to take twelve tricks in a single hand wins.
How to get better at Sergeant Major
Plan around your target
The dealer needs eight tricks and the other seats five and three. Compare likely winners with your own target.
Use exchanges well
An earned exchange can replace a low card with a higher one of the same suit. Choose the suit that most needs improvement.
Choose trump for control
Balance length with strength. Many weak trump cards can still leave opponents controlling critical tricks.
Count toward twelve
Twelve tricks in one hand wins the match. When you have an unusually strong hand, preserve control for that finish.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called 8–5–3?
These are the ordinary targets: eight for the dealer, five for the player to their left, and three for the remaining player.
Who chooses trump?
The dealer chooses trump and discards four cards before taking the kitty.
How do exchanges work?
Over-target players offer low cards to players who fell short. The recipient returns their highest card of that suit if it is higher, otherwise returns the offered card.
Does meeting my target win?
No. The target determines the next hand’s exchanges. Taking twelve tricks in a single hand wins this match.
Can I play Sergeant Major against computers?
Yes. Choose Play with computers at the table and select a computer pace. Private tables can also mix friends with computers. An internet connection is required.
How do I invite friends to Sergeant Major?
Choose Invite friends, then use Copy invite in the waiting room. Friends can open that link or enter the room code in Have an invite? The host can fill empty seats with computers.
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