45s glossary

The words you'll hear around a 45s table.

Auction

The bidding at the start of each hand. Also why the game is called Auction 45s.

Bagged

When everyone passes, the dealer is "bagged": stuck with the lowest bid and must play it.

Best trump

The highest trump played in a hand. The trick it's in is worth 10 points instead of 5.

Bid

A promise to take at least that many of the hand's 30 points if you name trump: 15, 20, 25 or 30 (or 60 at some tables).

Bidder

The player who wins the auction and names trump. Their team is the "bidding team".

Cut-throat

Every player for themselves, with no partners. Used with 2, 3 or 5 players.

Dealer

Deals the cards and bids last, with the right to hold. The deal moves left each hand.

Discard and draw

After trump is named, each player throws away unwanted cards and is dealt replacements.

Five (the five of trumps)

The highest card in the game. Nothing beats it.

Follow suit

Play a card of the suit that was led. In 45s you may usually trump instead.

Game

120 points (125 at some tables).

Hold

The dealer's right to take the high bid at the same amount instead of raising.

In the hole

Having a score below zero.

Kitty

Extra cards (usually four) dealt face down. The winning bidder adds them to their hand.

Lead

Play the first card of a trick. The trick's winner leads the next one.

Over 100

Once a team has 100 or more, it only scores when it wins the bid.

Plain suit

Any suit that isn't trump this hand.

Renege

Hold back the 5, jack or ace of hearts when a lower trump is led. Legal in 45s.

Set

Fail to take as many points as you bid. The bidding team loses the amount of the bid.

60 for 120

A bid of 60, usually only for a team in the hole. Take every trick for 120 points.

30 for 60

A bid of 30 that takes every trick scores 60 instead of 30.

Trick

One card from each player. Five tricks are played each hand, each worth 5 points.

Trump

The suit named by the bidder. Any trump beats any plain card. The ace of hearts is always a trump.