Septica

What is Septica?

Septica (Șeptică in Romanian) is an old Romanian card game, played here by two, you against the computer. The pack has 32 cards, seven to ace in four suits, and each player holds four. The card that matters most is the seven: it cuts anything. The points are the aces and tens, eight in the whole pack.

A trick starts with a card laid on the table, and the other side answers. A card of the same rank, or a seven, cuts the trick, and whoever cuts last takes every card on the table. The computer comes in three strengths, and every day brings a new deal, the same for everyone.

How to play

The opener lays any card; its rank is the rank of the trick.

• Cutting. A card of the same rank as the first, or any seven, cuts the trick.
• Cutting back. If the trick you opened is cut, you may cut back with a card of that rank or a seven, or let the trick go.
• Taking the trick. Whoever cut last takes all the cards on the table; if nobody cut, the opener does. Then both draw back up to four, the taker first, and the taker opens the next trick.
• Score. At the end the aces and tens taken are counted: more than four of the eight wins. Your score is ten times your points, plus 100 for a win or 40 for a draw.

Strategy tips

1. Keep your sevens. A seven cuts anything, so spend it only when there are points on the table.
2. Open with a pair. With two cards of the same rank, open with one: you can cut back with the other.
3. Do not give points away. When you cannot cut, throw a small card, not an ace or a ten.
4. Count the cards. Keep track of the sevens that have gone: once the computer can hold none, your points are safe.
5. Opening matters. The opener picks the rank of the trick, so winning a trick is also worth the next lead.

FAQ

Is Septica free to play?

Yes. Like every game on Play, it runs free in your browser, with no download and no account needed.

Who opens the first trick?

You do against the easy computer, the computer does against the hard one, and against the medium one and in the daily deal the opener is drawn by lot.

Can the computer see my cards?

No. It plays only on what it can see: its own cards and the ones already played, just like you.

What is the daily deal?

Every day everyone gets the same cards against the same computer, so scores compare directly on the leaderboard.

How is my score counted?

Ten points for every ace or ten you take, plus 100 if you took more than four of the eight or 40 for a draw. Higher is better.