Batak
How to play Batak
Batak — in full "Koz Batak" — is one of Turkey's most-played card games, a sharp trick-taking game where it is every player for themselves and spades are always trump. The thrill is in the bidding: you promise a number of tricks and then have to deliver, because falling short sinks you (that is what "batak" means). You play against three bots, or take on real people online — press Play online to be matched, or share a private link to play together.
Play Batak online with friends
Prefer real opponents to the bots? Choose Play online to be matched with other players, or share a private invite link and seat up to four players at the same table — right in your browser, with no account and no app. The server deals every hand and enforces the rules, keeping everyone in sync.
The cards
A standard 52-card deck, dealt thirteen each. Cards rank high to low Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 down to 2. Spades (♠) are always trump.
The bid
In turn, each player bids the number of tricks they expect to take — at least five. Because four players each bid five or more but there are only thirteen tricks, the bids always add up to more than can be made: someone is going to come up short.
Playing a trick
- You must follow the led suit if you can.
- If you are void, you may play anything — including a trump.
- You may not lead a spade until spades are "broken" (a spade has been played on another suit), unless spades are all you hold.
- The highest spade wins; with no spade, the highest card of the led suit. The winner leads the next trick.
Scoring
At the end you must have taken at least your bid. Make it and you score your bid; fall short and you go batak, losing your bid. The first player to reach 51 points wins.
Strategy
Bid what your hand can really win — high spades are near-certain tricks, and a side-suit Ace usually scores. A short side suit plus a few spades lets you ruff. Don't over-promise: an extra trick you can't make turns a winning hand into a batak. Once you have made your bid, stop taking tricks — dump your low cards and let the others fight. Tap a card to play it; legal cards are highlighted. N starts a new game.