Card games
3-5-8
Three players, targets of 8, 5 and 3: cards swapped each deal
3-5-8 — also called Sergeant Major or 8-5-3 — is a trick-taking game for three, loved from British pubs to Turkish and Balkan homes. Sixteen cards each and four on the floor; the dealer must take 8 tricks, the next player 5 and the third 3, and the targets move round with the deal. Whoever ends over target passes cards to whoever fell short, and the best of each suit comes back. Every trick over your target is a point, every trick under costs one; the first to 12 wins.
- Players
- 3 players
- Length
- 15–40 min per game
- Type
- Card games
Play 3-5-8 online with friends
At Masa, 3-5-8 is a game of its own right next to Batak: pick it in the games list, open a table and share its code or link with your friends, or sit at a house table. Bots fill the empty chairs, and voice chat keeps the table talking.
How to play
- 1
Three players, 16 cards each and 4 on the floor. The targets turn with the deal: the dealer 8 tricks, the next 5, the third 3.
- 2
From the second deal: a player who was over passes the players who were short one card per missing trick; each returns the highest card of every suit received.
- 3
The 8 names the trump, takes the floor, buries four and leads.
- 4
Follow suit and beat the highest card if you can; without the suit, trump (over-trump if you can). Trump is led once broken.
House rules
Pick any of these when you create a table; a table that changes none plays the rules above.
- Rules — Must beat · Classic
- Game length — To the end · 9 deals · 3 deals
Frequently asked questions
Is 3-5-8 the same game as Batak?
No. 3-5-8 is played at the same kind of table as Batak, but with rules of its own — see “How to play” above. At Masa it is a game of its own, with its own tables, stats and achievements.
Can I play 3-5-8 online with friends?
Yes. Open a 3-5-8 table and share its code or link. Empty seats fill with other players or bots, so a game always starts.
Is 3-5-8 free to play?
Yes. You play with Chips, which have no cash value: nothing can be won or cashed out.
