Call Break Variants

Call Break variants mostly change three things: the lowest call allowed (1 or 2), what an extra trick is worth (a tenth, or nothing at all), and how many deals make a game (five, ten, or as many as the table likes). Our tables play a lowest call of 1, 0.1 for every extra trick, and five rounds.

Play Call Break free

The variants below come from two places: the Call Bridge page on pagat.com, which lists the game as popular in Bangladesh, India and Nepal, and the rules notes for this app. Call Bridge is the same game as Call Break, and you will also hear it called Lakadi.

Lowest call: 1 or 2

pagat's Call Bridge rules say every call must be at least 2. With a minimum of 2, a weak hand is stuck promising two tricks. Our tables let you call 1, and there is no zero call.

Extra tricks: a tenth, or a broken call

In pagat's main Call Bridge rules you make your call only by taking exactly that many tricks or one more. Take two extra and the call has failed, and you lose it. A made call of 8 or more is a bonus call worth 13 points. pagat also notes that some versions pay 0.1 for each trick over the call instead.

Our tables play the tenths. Every made call scores the call plus 0.1 per extra trick, with no limit on extras and no bonus for a call of 8 or more. Call 3 and take 6, and you score 3.3.

How many deals make a game

pagat's main rules have no fixed end: the table plays as long as it likes and the highest score wins. It notes that some play exactly five deals, and that a longer game of ten deals is sometimes played. Our matches are five rounds, or three in the quick game, and a tie at the top is settled with extra rounds. The score calculator goes up to 20 rounds if you play a longer game at home.

Other differences, side by side

Rule	Our tables	Other tables
Beating the trick	When you follow suit you must beat the highest card of that suit if you can.	pagat's main rules do not make you beat it; it lists compulsory beating as a variant sometimes used with new players.
After a trick is cut	You still have to beat the highest card of the led suit if you can.	Some tables drop that duty once a spade is on the trick (listed as a variant in this app's rules notes).
Spade lead to trick one	Allowed.	Some play that a spade may not be led to the first trick.
A hand with no spades	Played as dealt.	Some require everyone to hold at least one spade, and the same dealer deals again if not.
Total of the four calls	No minimum.	Some require the calls to add up to at least 10, and the same dealer deals again if they don't.

Where a rule above is not marked as coming from this app's notes, the source is pagat.com's Call Bridge page.

What our tables play, in full

Four players, no partners; 13 cards each, spades always trump.
Calls from 1 to 13, no zero call. The dealer calls last.
Strict play: beat the led suit when you can, cut with a spade when you are out of it, beat a spade already played when you can, and only then play freely.
Scoring: a made call scores the call plus 0.1 per extra trick; a missed call scores minus the call.
Five rounds by default, three in the quick game. The highest total wins, and a tie at the top plays on.

Small glossary

Call: Your public promise of tricks: at least 1 at our tables, at least 2 in pagat's Call Bridge.
Break: Missing your call, and losing that many points for it.
Overtrick: A trick past the call. Worth 0.1 at our tables.
Bonus call: In pagat's Call Bridge, a call of 8 or more, worth 13 if made.
Cut: Playing a spade when you are out of the led suit. Required here, not optional.
Overtrump: Beating a spade already on the trick. Also required when you can.