Oh Hell is an excellent trick-taking card game for all ages and levels of experience. These Oh Hell card game rules explain all you need to know before playing.
Estimation, Up and Down the Creek, Get Fred, Nomination Whist, Oh Pshaw…these are just a few alternative names for Oh Hell, a popular trick-taking card game for 3 or more players.
The game is often likened to Euchre (see the Euchre game rules) or Spades (check our Spades game rules). Nevertheless, Oh Hell is, in some regards, completely unique.
Key highlights of this Oh Hell rules guide:
- What is Oh Hell
- Oh Hell Card Game Rules
- Oh Hell Scoring
- Oh Hell Rules in Pictures
- How to play Oh Hell (Video tutorial)
Ready to learn how to play Oh Hell? Continue reading for detailed instructions.
Related: 5 player card games
What is Oh Hell?
In Oh Hell, your chances to win depend 50:50 on your skills and luck. The game consists of both bidding and taking the tricks, and it allows you to show off your strategic skills.
Number of Players: 3 to 7 (4 to 6 works the best)
Ages: 10 +
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Length of Play: 25 – 50 minutes
Type of Game: Trick-taking card game
Similar to: Bridge, Hearts, Sheepshead
Main Objective: Guess the correct number of tricks you’ll take and score points.
Our Take: Oh Hell is a game with simple rules, but it’s far from easy to win it. Nevertheless, the more you play it, the more you will love this game.
What You’ll Need to Play Oh Hell Card Game
If you plan to play the Oh Hell card game, you’ll need the following:
- Decks: 1
- Number of Cards: 52
- Cards Omitted: Jokers