Newfoundland and Labrador 45s rules
Newfoundland and Labrador play the auction game too, often simply called "120" or "45s". The rules are close to the Maritime game, with a couple of differences that come from the older Irish game.
What's different from Nova Scotia
- Plain-suit aces: Traditional order (Nova Scotia: Always high)
- Deal: 2 then 3 (Nova Scotia: 3 then 2)
In the traditional order, a plain-suit ace ranks below the jack in black suits and at the bottom in diamonds, rather than above the king.
Dealing two then three makes no difference to play; it's a regional habit.
Everything else follows the standard rules.
Newfoundland and Labrador rules at a glance
| Rule | NS | NB | PEI | NL | New Eng. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest bid | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Dealer may hold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kitty | 4 cards | 4 cards | 4 cards | 4 cards | 4 cards |
| Cards you may discard | Up to 5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 |
| Bidder must hold a trump | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First lead | Left of the bidder | Left of the bidder | Left of the bidder | Left of the bidder | The bidder |
| When a plain suit is led | Follow suit or trump | Follow suit or trump | Follow suit or trump | Follow suit or trump | Follow suit or trump |
| Plain-suit aces | Always high | Always high | Always high | Traditional order | Traditional order |
| Cards that may renege | 5, J and A♥ | 5, J and A♥ | 5, J and A♥ | 5, J and A♥ | 5, J and A♥ |
| 30 for 60 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 60 for 120 | Only when in the hole | Only when in the hole | Only when in the hole | Only when in the hole | Only when in the hole |
| Over 100 | Must win the bid to score | Must win the bid to score | Must win the bid to score | Must win the bid to score | Must win the bid to score |
| Game | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Deal | 3 then 2 | 3 then 2 | 3 then 2 | 2 then 3 | 3 then 2 |