When to bid capot?

Bidding capot means promising all 8 tricks for 250 points. The most prestigious call, and the riskiest in the game.

What capot demands

To aim for capot you must control every suit: leave the opponents no opening. That means many master trumps (jack, nine, ace), side aces, and ideally the lead to run the deal at your pace. A single conceded trick fails the contract and hands the 250 points to the opponents.

The partner's role

Capot is made by two. If your partner has shown a hand during the auction, yours needn't be perfect: their cards can plug the gaps. A capot bid on a well-matched pair is safer than one attempted solo on a brilliant but isolated hand.

Risk and alternatives

Capot can flip a match, but a single flaw makes it fail heavily. When in doubt, a high but realistic contract (140, 150, 160) often secures more points than a shaky capot. Mind the score: far behind, the capot gamble may be worth it; ahead, caution protects your lead. Several choices are defensible.

See also

FAQ

How much does a bid-and-made capot score?

A bid-and-made capot is worth 250 points. If it fails, even by one trick, those 250 points go to the opposing team.

Do you need a perfect hand to bid capot?

Not necessarily. If your partner has shown strength in the auction, a solid but imperfect hand can be enough, since their cards complete yours. It depends on the pair and the deal.