Pishti Rules — Complete Guide

Pishti is a Turkish fishing-type card game for 2 players or 4 players in two partnerships, played with a standard 52-card deck. You capture the table pile by matching its face-up top card or by playing a Jack; capturing a lone card with the same rank is a Pişti worth 10 points. Cards score at the end of each hand and the first side to 151 points wins the match.

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Deck and players

A standard 52-card deck is used (no jokers). The game is played by 2 players individually or by 4 players in fixed partnerships; play passes anticlockwise.

Suits: spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs. Ranks run A, 2–10, J (Jack), Q, K.

The deal and the centre pile

The dealer places four cards in the centre and turns just the top one face up; if it is a Jack the card beneath is turned instead (if all four are Jacks the hand is redealt). Each player is then dealt four cards in a single go.

Only the top face-up card of the pile matters for capturing; the face-down cards beneath stay hidden and go to whoever first captures the pile.

When players run out of cards, four more are dealt to each until the stock is exhausted — 48 cards pass through hands in total; the 4 centre cards stay on the table.

Capturing

On your turn you play one card:

Card playedResult
Same rank as the face-up top cardYou capture the whole pile
Jack (J) — in any situationYou capture the whole pile
Any other cardIt joins the pile and becomes the new top card

The capturing player/team collects the pile face down in front of them; those cards are scored at the end of the hand.

Pişti and Double Pişti

When the pile holds a single card and you capture it with a card of the same rank, that is a Pişti: +10 points.

If that lone card is a Jack and you capture it with another Jack, it is a Double Pişti: +20 points.

Exceptions: no Pişti is scored for the very first play of the hand (the pile starts with four cards) or for the final card of the hand.

Scoring

When all hands are played, any cards left on the table go to the side that captured last. Then the points are counted:

ItemPoints
Each Jack (J)1
Each Ace (A)1
2 of Clubs (♣2)2
10 of Diamonds (♦10)3
Most cards (26+)3
Each Pişti10
Double Pişti (Jack–Jack)20

A normal hand divides 16 points between the sides (4 jacks + 4 aces + 2 + 3 + 3); at 26–26 the majority point is skipped. Pişti bonuses are added on top.

The match continues hand after hand until one side reaches 151 points; if both pass in the same hand the higher scorer wins.

Quick tips for beginners

Don't waste your Jacks — save them for a full pile, not a two-card scrap.

When the pile is a single card and you hold the matching rank, take the Pişti: 10 points beats an ace.

Never feed the 2 of clubs or 10 of diamonds onto a pile your opponent is likely to capture.

Avoid discarding a rank that matches the current top card — it hands your opponent a free capture.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are used in Pishti?

A standard 52-card deck — no jokers.

How many players play Pishti?

Two players individually, or four players in two partnerships sitting opposite each other.

How many points is a Pişti?

Capturing a single-card pile with the same rank scores 10 points; if the lone card is a Jack captured with another Jack it is a Double Pişti worth 20.

What does the Jack (J) do?

A Jack captures the whole pile no matter which card is on top.

How many points is the 2 of clubs?

The 2 of clubs scores 2 points on its own.

How many points is the 10 of diamonds?

The 10 of diamonds scores 3 points — the most valuable single card.

What is the target score in Pishti?

Matches are usually played to 151 points; traditionally any multiple of ten such as 101, 151 or 171 may be agreed.

How many points are there in one hand?

Normally 16 points are divided (4 jacks + 4 aces + 2 + 3 + 3), plus Pişti bonuses on top.

Can I play Pishti online for free?

Yes — you can play Pishti online free at pishti.yeeqia.com directly in your browser, no download or sign-up required.

Does it work on mobile?

Yes, the site is mobile-first and runs in any modern browser with full Turkish and English support.