How to play Mizerka (Mizerca)
Mizerka is a Polish 3-player trick-taking game played with a 52-card deck. Below are the complete rules: the deal and roles, choosing a contract, exchanging cards, trick play, and scoring — including the reversed scoring of the Mizerka contract itself.
The deal and the roles
Three players use a 52-card deck (ace high). Everyone is dealt 13 cards and 13 go to the talon (the exchange pile). Each deal has three roles: the Picker (leads first), the Second player, and the Dealer, who rotates every deal.
Choosing a contract and exchanging cards
The Picker chooses the contract: a trump suit (spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs), No Trump, or Mizerka. Then, in order — Picker, Second, Dealer — each player exchanges any number of cards: discard some and draw the same number from the top of the talon.
Trick play
The Picker leads. You must follow the led suit; if you cannot, you may (but need not) trump in. The highest trump wins the trick, or with no trump the highest card of the led suit. The trick winner leads the next.
Scoring
In a normal contract the trick goals are Picker 7, Second 5, Dealer 1, and points = tricks − goal. Mizerka reverses the goals to 1 / 5 / 7 with points = goal − tricks, so you want as few tricks as possible. Scoring is zero-sum.
| Role | Goal — normal | Goal — Mizerka | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picker | 7 tricks | 1 trick | normal: tricks − goal · mizerka: goal − tricks |
| Second | 5 tricks | 5 tricks | as above |
| Dealer | 1 trick | 7 tricks | as above |
The full table — 18 deals
You play the full table: each of the three players declares each of the six contracts (four suits, No Trump, Mizerka) exactly once — 18 deals in total. A picker may not repeat a contract already played. After the last deal, the player with the most points wins.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are used in Mizerka?
A 52-card deck. Each of the three players gets 13 cards and the remaining 13 form the exchange talon.
What is the Mizerka contract?
A No-Trump deal with reversed scoring: goals are 1 / 5 / 7 and points are goal − tricks, so taking fewer tricks is better.
How long is a game?
18 deals — each of the three players declares each of the six contracts exactly once.