Auction 45s

Prince Edward Island 45s rules

On Prince Edward Island, 45s is a long-standing community card game, played at card parties and fundraisers as well as at home. Island rules match the Nova Scotia game in nearly every detail.

How it's played

The commonly reported Prince Edward Island rules are the same as Nova Scotia's, so everything on how to play applies. Where individual tables differ, it's usually on the points in the house-rules checklist, most often the lowest bid and whether you must follow suit.

Prince Edward Island rules at a glance

RuleNSNBPEINLNew Eng.
Lowest bid1515151515
Dealer may holdYesYesYesYesYes
Kitty4 cards4 cards4 cards4 cards4 cards
Cards you may discardUp to 5Up to 5Up to 5Up to 5Up to 5
Bidder must hold a trumpYesYesYesYesYes
First leadLeft of the bidderLeft of the bidderLeft of the bidderLeft of the bidderThe bidder
When a plain suit is ledFollow suit or trumpFollow suit or trumpFollow suit or trumpFollow suit or trumpFollow suit or trump
Plain-suit acesAlways highAlways highAlways highTraditional orderTraditional order
Cards that may renege5, J and A♥5, J and A♥5, J and A♥5, J and A♥5, J and A♥
30 for 60YesYesYesYesYes
60 for 120Only when in the holeOnly when in the holeOnly when in the holeOnly when in the holeOnly when in the hole
Over 100Must win the bid to scoreMust win the bid to scoreMust win the bid to scoreMust win the bid to scoreMust win the bid to score
Game120120120120120
Deal3 then 23 then 23 then 22 then 33 then 2