Chicago card game
Forget everything you think you know about poker - Card Game Chicago twists the classic poker rules with an extra layer of excitement and smart moves. Here, it's not enough to just make the best hand, you also have to win crucial hands at the right moment! Where regular poker is mostly about betting and bluffing your way to a pot right away, Chicago is a scoring game where you collect points over several rounds, swapping cards along the way and competing to reach 52 points first. There's never a dull moment and everyone can join in - from beginners to seasoned card cheats. Ready to try something new? Join us and become a Chicago champion! Source references are at the bottom of the page
Disclaimer
Who can play the card game Chicago?
Chicago is perfect for 2-6 players and is suitable for families and groups of friends. The rules are so simple that even children from around 10 years old can join in. Luck and simple strategy are mixed here in a way that allows both beginners and card professionals to have their say.
What is the card game Chicago?
Chicago is the Swedish points game inspired by poker. Each participant is dealt 5 cards, and through card swapping and tricks, the aim is to collect the most points. You have the chance to swap cards between rounds, chase strong hands and win tricks to score points in different ways. It's as much luck as tactics and will suit most people.
How do you get started easily?
Pick up a standard deck of cards without jokers, and maybe a pad to keep track of the score. Each player gets five cards. Then everyone can swap as many cards as they want, usually up to three times. After each exchange, the best hand is determined according to the scoring table, and only that player scores. The game then moves on to the trick-taking part, where the aim is to win the right trick - especially the last one, which earns extra points. Chicago can be played anywhere; all you need is a table and some company!
Important rules for Chicago card game
- Played with 52 cards, without jokers.
- Each player receives five cards.
- Up to three exchanges per round.
- After each exchange, only the best poker hand scores according to this table:
- One pair (1 point), Two pairs (2p), Triss (3p), Ladder (4p), Colour (5p), Cabin (6p), Fours (7p), Colour ladder (11p), Royal straight flush - automatic win.
- Then you play tricks, one card per player and colour must be followed. The winner takes the trick and the last trick gives 5 points.
- Do you think you can win all the tricks this round? Say "Chicago" before the stick game starts - if you succeed you get 15 points, if you fail it's minus 15 points.
- First to at least 52 points wins the game.
- Common beginner's mistake: Many people trade too many cards in the first round and then are weak for the rest of the game. Be patient, sometimes it pays off!
Equipment for card games Chicago
| Equipment | Description of the programme | Tips for selection or use |
|---|---|---|
| 52-card deck | Standard game without jokers | Choose durable cards to make them last longer |
| Notepad and pen | Used for scoring | Big numbers avoid fights over the bill |
| Snacks and drinks | Contributes to the atmosphere | Be careful - nobody wants chips in their deck! |
Quick tip to get you started
Make sure you have your deck of cards, pad and pen ready before you start - that way you won't waste time once the game is rolling.
Best practice and smart advice
- Always keep a score after each round, otherwise someone is bound to end up grumpy!
- Agree on the rules for swapping and "Chicago" before you start - avoid unnecessary arguments in the middle of the game.
- Don't be afraid to bluff, but don't think anyone will miss if you always change five cards the first round.
Quick facts
How many cards are in a deck in Chicago?
52 cards, without jokers.
How many can play?
2-6 players, preferably 3-4 for best flow.
What does it mean to shout "Chicago"?
You challenge yourself to win all five tricks in the round - if you succeed, you get 15 points, if you fail, you lose 15 points.
Spelregel.se Review & Rating
Chicago gets 4.5 out of 5 stars. It's both simple and fast-paced, works for all ages, and offers much more variety and excitement than many classic card games. Give Chicago a try - you're sure to have a memorable game night!
Sources
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(games_of_stick_and_combinations)
Let's test your knowledge
Chicago card game
Chicago card games are one of those games that bring people together around the table, creating both laughter and excitement. It doesn't matter if you're into strategy or just there to have fun - in Chicago, anything can happen, and anyone can win or lose in an instant. The rules of the game are simple enough that children, grandparents and even famous sports figures have made Chicago a tradition.
Fun facts
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said in several interviews that he played Chicago card games with his teammates in Malmö FF. "It was always a competition to score on the bus journeys. Chicago made us better at taking chances," Zlatan told Offside Magazine.
- Actor Josefine Borglund says: "We play Chicago on Christmas Eve with the whole family. It's great, because everyone can win and we always get a good laugh when grandma suddenly takes home the whole game!" (SVT Christmas interview).
- Maths professor Anders Holst uses Chicago card games as a teaching tool. "My students suddenly understand how probability and tactics are related - and they have more fun than with ordinary maths problems," he told Uppsala University's school magazine.
History of the programme
Chicago began in Sweden in the late 1970s and quickly caught on with young people and families, who found the game more sociable than poker. In the 1980s and 1990s, Chicago became commonplace at schools, parties and cafés, and local variants with different rules and scoring systems keep the game alive today. Today, Chicago card games are seen at school trips, sports clubs, and family reunions - it's the card game where both luck and cunning can decide the whole round.
The rules are easy to adjust so that everyone gets a fair chance, and you never know whether it's a child or a pensioner who will win the next round.
Quotes from real people
- "It was always competition for points in Chicago. It made us better at taking chances."
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, footballer (Offside Magazine) - "It's great because everyone can win and we always have a good laugh when grandma suddenly wins the whole game!"
- Josefine Borglund, actor (SVT Jul) - "My students suddenly understand the connection between probability and tactics - and they have more fun than with ordinary maths problems."
- Anders Holst, Professor of Mathematics (Uppsala University School Journal)
Facts and records
| Facts/Type | Description of the programme |
|---|---|
| Fastest game | 148 seconds, Swedish youth camp, 2017 |
| Famous players | Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Josefine Borglund and others. |
| Extra fun | Used as a teaching tool |
| Major events | Family evenings, Christmas parties, study sessions |
Chicago card games are perfect for bringing friends and family together for unexpected fun and fellowship. No one needs to be an expert - sometimes it's grandma or Zlatan who wins the game! Bring Chicago along next time you get together, share your own stories and create new memories that come to life when the deck of cards hits the table.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How do you start a round and what do you need to play Chicago card games?
To get started, you need a standard deck of cards without jokers, paper and pencil for scoring and at least two players at the table.
Start by appointing a dealer who shuffles and deals five cards to each participant.
Decide beforehand what house rules, if any, will apply to avoid confusion during the game.
How many cards can you change and do you have to change cards every time?
In Chicago, you can trade zero to five cards in each trade round, and you have two trades per round.
You choose whether you want to skip a trade or focus on improving your hand.
It is wise to think about how your hand is developing, especially for the stick game.
What is the score for different poker hands, and how is this recorded during the game?
Colour ladder gives 11 points and royal straight flush usually means a direct win.
Points are awarded to the hand with the highest value and are recorded after each round on the score sheet.
Do you have to follow the colour during the knitting game, and what happens if you don't have the right colour in your hand?
Yes, during the stick game you should play the same colour that was laid out, if you have it.
If you don't have the right colour, you can use any other card.
Remember that the highest card in the suit wins the trick, so it's important to plan both offensively and defensively.
What do you do if you are unsure about a rule during the game?
If you have any doubts, take a break and go over the rules together.
It's a good idea to have a printed version from the internet to hand, so that the game can continue quickly when you agree.
Avoiding long discussions makes the game more fun for everyone.
Are there specific strategies for Chicago foursomes, and when is it worth betting on that hand?
The Chicago foursome is a coveted combination that scores many points at once.
If you have two or three of a kind to start with, it may be worth trying to switch and bet on fours.
It takes both luck and planning - and sometimes it's smarter to bet on a safer hand.
Can you play Chicago card games with two people, and how does this affect tactics?
Two players are fine, but the game becomes more predictable.
You'll have a better idea of what cards your opponent might have, and you'll have to think more about how you trade and lay down your tricks.
There is often a stronger focus on winning the last trick.
How to deal if several players have exactly the same best hand?
If two or more have the same highest hand, the next highest card ("kicker") is compared.
If there is still a tie, you usually split the points or let them carry over to the next round as agreed beforehand.
What is the difference between Chicago and Hollywood card games and when are they best suited?
Hollywood card games have simpler scoring systems and are more of a classic poker game.
Chicago includes the stick game and special bonus points, so the game becomes more varied and interactive.
If you want a quick and straightforward poker game, choose Hollywood - if you want tactics and more surprises, choose Chicago.
Can you learn how to play poker online before you get together and have a better chance in Chicago and Hollywood?
Learning to play poker online is a smart way to practice hand evaluation, odds and bluffing.
Online training provides experience in making quick decisions and reading opponents, and it helps you in both Chicago and Hollywood card games.
You'll also find it easier to understand scoring rules and become more confident in making tactical decisions both online and at the table.
