Lebanese Leekha, every player for themselves โ dodge the hearts, the Queen of Spades and the 10 of Diamonds, or open them to raise the stakes. Lowest score when someone hits 151 wins.
๐ฅ 4 players (bots available)โฑ๏ธ 30โ60 min
Leekha (ููุฎุฉ) is the Lebanese trick-taking card game where the goal is to take as few points as possible. Every heart costs 1 point, the Queen of Spades โ the Leekha itself โ costs 13, and the 10 of Diamonds costs 10.
Deathmatch Open Leekha drops the usual partnerships: all four players are against each other. And it's open โ whoever holds the Queen of Spades or the 10 of Diamonds may reveal it to the table, tripling its value if they end up taking it themselves and doubling it for anyone else who does. Rounds continue until someone reaches 151, and then the lowest total wins.
How to play
Exactly four players, each on their own phone. The full 52-card deck is dealt, 13 cards each.
Each round, everyone picks 3 cards to pass to the player on their right.
After passing, whoever holds the Queen of Spades or the 10 of Diamonds may open it โ reveal it to everyone. An opened Queen is worth 39 if its opener takes it and 26 if anyone else does; an opened 10 of Diamonds is worth 30 or 20.
The first round is led by a random player; after that, whoever took the Queen of Spades in the previous round leads.
You must follow the led suit if you can. If you can't and you hold the Queen of Spades or the 10 of Diamonds, you must play one of them. Hearts can be led at any time.
The highest card of the led suit wins the trick (aces high, no trumps). The winner takes the cards and leads the next trick.
After 13 tricks, each player adds up the penalty cards they took: 1 per heart, 13 for the Queen of Spades, 10 for the 10 of Diamonds. Take every penalty card in a single round and you score 0 for it instead.
When any player reaches 151 or more, the match ends and the lowest total wins โ tied lowest players share the win.
Tips & strategy
If you don't hold the Queen of Spades, pass away your King and Ace of spades โ they're magnets for the Leekha.
Empty a suit early. Once you can't follow suit you can unload hearts โ but remember you'll be forced to dump the Queen or the 10 of Diamonds if you hold them.
Only open a card you're confident you can dump on someone else: an opened Queen you get stuck with costs you 39.
When an opponent opens the Queen of Spades, lead spades to flush it out โ it's their 39 to lose.
With no partners, watch whoever is closest to 151: the match ends the moment anyone crosses it, and the lowest total at that point wins.
Frequently asked questions
How is this different from classic Leekha?
Classic Leekha is usually played in two teams of two. Deathmatch Open Leekha is every player for themselves, plays to 151 (lowest total wins), and lets the holder open the Queen of Spades or the 10 of Diamonds to multiply its value.
What happens if I open the Queen of Spades?
Everyone sees that you hold it. If you end up taking it yourself, it costs you 39 points (ร3); if anyone else takes it, they pay 26 (ร2).
When am I forced to play the Queen of Spades or the 10 of Diamonds?
Only when you can't follow the led suit. Then, if you hold either card, you must play one of them.
Who wins?
The match ends after the round in which someone reaches 151 points. The player with the lowest total wins, and tied players share the win.
Can we play on one phone?
No โ this game is online only, with each of the four players on their own phone so every hand stays private.
Can I play against bots?
Yes. In the lobby, the host can add one, two or three bot players to fill the table โ you can even play alone against three. The bots play expert Leekha: they count cards, remember who is void in which suit, duck under winning cards, flush out the Queen of Spades and never peek at your hand. If a player leaves mid-game, a bot takes over their seat and score.