Completely free · runs in your browser, nothing to install
PlayersFour, each playing alone
Cards52 cards — thirteen in each hand
Match length18 rounds: 13 with an auction and 5 fast ones
About the game
Estimation is a trick-taking game played with a full deck, but winning is not about taking the most tricks. Each round opens with an auction for trumps, then every player estimates how many of the thirteen tricks they will take, and points depend on hitting that number exactly. One trick too many spoils an estimate just as surely as one too few.
The last player to estimate may not choose the number that makes the total exactly thirteen, so somebody always misses. That gives the play two halves: taking what you promised, and feeding an opponent a trick they do not want or denying them one they need.
Basic Estimation rules
Four players, each on their own, with a full 52-card deck, thirteen cards each, and play passing to the right.
Before the auction each player is asked once about a dash call, a promise to take no tricks at all. No more than two players may dash call in a round.
The lowest bid is four tricks, and bids rise by number and then by suit: clubs, diamonds, hearts, spades, then no trumps. The highest bidder holds the call and names trumps.
The others then estimate their tricks in turn. Nobody may estimate more than the call, and the last player may not choose the number that brings the total to thirteen.
The caller leads first. Following suit is compulsory, and the trick goes to the highest trump or else the highest card of the suit led.
An exact estimate scores ten plus the tricks taken, ten more for the caller or anyone who matched the call, and ten more for being the only one to succeed. A miss loses the difference, ten more for the caller or a match, and ten more for being the only one to miss.
A dash call scores twenty-five or loses it if a trick is taken, rising to thirty-three in a round where the estimates total less than thirteen.
Risk: if the last estimate leaves the total two or more away from thirteen, that player gains ten extra on success and loses ten on failure. If all four miss, or everyone passes the auction, the next round counts double.
The last five rounds are fast rounds with no auction, played in no trumps, spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs in that order, and the highest estimate holds the call. After eighteen rounds the highest score wins.
How to play Estimation on Balotk
Open the app in your browser and create a free account, or come in as a guest.
Choose Estimation on the home screen and start quick play, which seats you with players online now and fills any empty seat with a bot.
Answer the dash call question, then bid a number of tricks and a suit or pass. The screen only offers bids that beat the current one.
Pick your estimate from the numbers shown, and if you are last the forbidden number is simply not offered.
Play from the highlighted cards and follow each player’s estimate and tricks taken at the top of the table, then the round points after the last trick.
Frequently asked questions
Is Estimation free to play on Balotk?
Yes, Estimation needs no subscription and no payment, and it runs in your browser on phone or computer with nothing to install. Chips in the app are play tokens with no cash value.
What is the call in Estimation?
The call is the winning bid of the auction, a number of tricks with a suit. The caller sets trumps for the round, nobody may estimate more than the call, and the caller wins or loses more than the others.
What is a dash call?
A promise made before the auction to take no tricks at all. It scores twenty-five when kept, or thirty-three in a round whose estimates total less than thirteen, and the same amount is lost if a trick is taken.
What is risk in Estimation?
When the last player to estimate leaves the total two or more away from thirteen, that player is gambling: ten extra points for hitting the estimate and ten points lost for missing it.
How many rounds are in an Estimation match?
Eighteen rounds: thirteen with an auction for trumps, then five fast rounds whose trumps are fixed in order from no trumps down to clubs. The highest score at the end wins.
Why can I not choose a certain number when estimating?
Because you are the last to estimate and that number would make the total exactly thirteen. The rule forbids it so that the four estimates can never all succeed together.
One site for Baloot, Jackaroo, Ludo and more
Looking for the best site for online card and board games? Balotk brings nine of them together: Saudi Baloot, Jackaroo, Ludo, dominoes, Last Card, Kankan, Hand, Estimation and Bridge. Open it in your browser and play — no download, no waiting.
Play Baloot, dominoes and Last Card with your friends in one place: open a table and invite whoever you like, or let matchmaking find players for you. And if you want to know how to play Jackaroo or Kankan online, every game has its full rules on its own page.
Ready for a table?
Open the game in your browser and the table starts immediately, with no waiting.