
Call Break Rules Every Player Needs To Know
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Jun 12, 2025
3 min read
Already familiar with the classic Call Break card game? Whether you call it Call Bridge, Lakdi, or just Call Break, learning the right call break rules is very important if you want to win more, especially when playing online with real people.
This popular card game for four players started in South Asia. The goal is to bid wisely and win tricks. Even though the main rules are mostly the same, some small differences in scoring or gameplay can confuse players. That’s why we’ve made a simple guide to the most important callbreak rules.
If you’re not sure how to play Call Break online or just want to refresh your memory before the next game, this guide is perfect for you. We’ll explain everything like how many rounds there are, how bidding works, how trump cards are used, and how to count your score.
Let’s look at the most important Call Break rules, whether you’re playing for the first time or getting back into the game after a break.
Call break Rules for Game Setup and Dealing Cards
Let's look at the basic rules for setting up the Call Break game and dealing the cards.
- Call Break is a card game where players compete to win hands, also known as tricks. The goal is to win as many hands as possible, or at least the number of hands you bid before the game starts.
- The game is played by four players, and there are no teams or partnerships. Spades are the trump suit, which means a Spade card can beat any card from another suit, no matter the rank.
- The cards are ranked in the following order, from highest to lowest: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
- At the start of the game, the dealer deals 13 cards to each player. After that, each player makes their bid, deciding how many hands they expect to win. The game proceeds as each player tries to win their bid by winning tricks.
Beginner at Call Break? Make a Note of These Rules!
The Call Break game rules are simple and easy to learn. If you’re new to the game, here are the basic call break rules explained in a way that’s easy to understand.
- Spades is the default trump suit in the game. Therefore, a spade card can beat any other card of a different suit, regardless of the rank. For instance, 7♠️ (spade card) can beat A♥️.
- The call break card games are generally divided into five rounds. MPL features 1 round, 2 rounds, and 4 rounds versions of the game. The dealer is selected after dealing one card each randomly to all players and whoever receives the lowest card becomes th dealer.
- As per the call break game rules, the card rankings from high to low are as follows: A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
- Winning additional tricks in call break than bid at the beginning brings extra points and increases the score.
- Failing to win tricks equal to the number bid at the beginning of the game leads to decline in score.
- The main objective of the call break game is to win equal to or more tricks than the number of tricks bid at the start if the game.
How to Play The Call Break Card Game - Step by Step
Call Break card game rules and gameplay is pretty easy to understand. Learn the below rules to play call break card games with friends and family.
Step 1: First, Make Your Call (Bidding/Calls)
Before the game begins, each player should select the hand values based on their possible winning hands. Each player makes a call or bids the number of tricks that they think they can win based on the cards in hand.
Step 2: Understand the Objective of Call Break
Once the 13 cards are distributed to the players, the first player to make a move is chosen randomly. The objective is to make minimum hands similar to the bid. The bids are numbers that represent the number of hands that a particular player bids to win. A player can bid between 1-13, with the lowest bid as 1 and the highest remains 13. Every player needs to make at least one bid.
Step 3: Aim to Meet or Exceed Your Call
The main objective is to make hands equivalent to the call or more than the call. In case a player doesn't get even one trump or spade, then the cards will be distributed to all the players again. You can have a look at the tips and tricks video to come up with strategies to win against your opponents:
Step 4: Who Starts the Game?
The call break gameplay starts with the dealer's right starts the first hand, as per the Call Break rules.
Step 5: Follow the Suit in Each Hand
After that, the winner of each hand leads the next one. Players must follow the suit of the card being played. If they don't have a card of that suit, they can play a trump card. However, playing a trump card doesn't always guarantee winning the hand.
Step 6: Example of Playing Cards
For example, if the first player plays the Ace of Hearts, everyone must play a Heart if they have one. If they don't have a Heart, they can play a trump card. If no one plays a trump card, the player with the Ace of Hearts wins the hand.
Step 7: How to Win a Hand
If a player plays a card that's not from the same suit, other players can either play a higher card from the same suit or use a trump card. To win the hand, you must play the highest ranking card according to Call Break rules. Cards rank from Ace (highest) down to 2 (lowest) within each suit, but any trump card beats cards of other suits, no matter their rank. Playing the highest ranking card is essential to winning the hand.
How to Keep Score in Call Break
If you win fewer tricks than your bid, you lose points equal to your bid. For example, if you bid 5 tricks and win only 4 tricks, you will lose 5 points.
If you win the same number of tricks as your bid, you earn points equal to your bid. For example, if you bid 5 tricks and win 5 tricks, you will get 5 points.
If you win more tricks than your bid, you get extra points. Each extra trick adds 0.1 points. For example, if you bid 5 tricks and win 7 tricks, you will score 5.2 points (5 points + 0.2 for 2 extra tricks).
At the end of all rounds, the player with the highest total score wins the game.
Winning Strategies and Tips on How to Play Callbreak
To win at Call Break, you need to follow the right callbreak rules and play smart. These simple tips will help you understand the call break game rules better, make good bids, and score more points. Use these strategies to play stronger and win more games.
Play the First Trick Smartly
The first trick can reveal a lot about your opponents’ cards. Try to play a mid-value card to observe their moves. Avoid using your high-value cards like Aces or Kings too early unless you're sure of winning the hand. Save those for crucial rounds. Watching what your opponents play in the early tricks helps you plan better and protect your strong cards for later.
Set your goal
In Call Break, set a clear goal before bidding. Aim to win the exact number of tricks or more than you bid. For instance, if you bid five tricks, you need to win five or more to gain five points. Falling short of five tricks will lead to losing those points. This helps keep a steady score.
Calculate the Risk
In Call Break multiplayer rules, choose a bid you're confident you can achieve. Avoid over-bidding on tricks you may not win. Playing safely can keep your score positive, which is better than high-risk bids. Remember, any trick can be trumped, so follow the game closely and bid wisely.
Focus on the Score
The Call Break rules use a points system. Your score increases with each hand won, but relies on your bid. Win fewer tricks than your bid, and you lose those points. Meeting your bid adds those points, while extra tricks give 0.1 points each.
Use Your Trump Cards Wisely
Trump cards are powerful, but using them at the right time is key. Save your trump cards to win important hands or when you have no cards of the suit played. Don’t waste them early; smart use of trump cards can help you win more tricks and meet your bid.
How to Download and Play Call Break on the MPL App
Now that you have an idea about the Call Break rules, you’re ready to jump into the game. Download the Call Break game on your phone and get started. It’s quick, easy, and you can begin playing in just a few taps.
- Visit MPL's Website and go to the Call Break page.
- Scan the QR Code to download the app.
- Tap OK to download.
- If you see a safety check pop-up, click "Download Anyway." The MPL App is 100% safe.
- Install and open the app.
- Sign up with your mobile number.
- Select a Call Break game and start playing.
- Make bids, win tricks, and follow Call Break rules to increase your score.
- For iOS users, search "MPL" on the App Store and click "Get" to download.
FAQs
How do you win a call break game?
According to Call Break game rules, you must win as many or more tricks than you bid at the start of each round. To win the Call Break card game, your goal is to score the highest points by the end of all the rounds.
What happens if a player doesn't get any trump card?
According to a key Call Break rule, if a player doesn’t get even one trump (Spade card), the cards are reshuffled and dealt again to all players to ensure fair play.
How do you play call break on MPL?
To play call break on MPL, you need to select the number of rounds you want to play. MPL, one of the most renowned names in the online gaming world. It has an option to play 1 round, 2 rounds, and 4 rounds. Select the table and follow the call break rules and objective to win the game.
How are points calculated according to Call Break rules?
In Call Break, you earn points based on how many tricks you win compared to your bid. If you win fewer tricks than your bid, you lose points; if you win more, you get extra points.
Nupur is a gaming writer who loves sharing her winning insights about Call Break and Winpatti. She feels that winning these games isn't just about making random moves, it's all about right strategies, reading the game, and knowing when to make the right move! In her articles, she shares tips on everything from perfecting your hand in Winpatti to having an edge over your opponents with clever tricks in Call Break. If you're ready to level up and play like a pro, Nupur’s strategies will help you take control of the game and win more!
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