Shelem is a Persian trick-taking card game for four players in two partnerships, partners sitting opposite. It plays like Hokm with an auction on top: before each hand, players bid how many points their team will take, and the highest bidder becomes the hakem, picks up the widow and names trump. Aces, tens and fives carry points and so does every trick, so you need to win tricks and steer the valuable cards to your side.
In Hamdor you can play Shelem online against real players, open a private room and send the code to friends, or practise bidding offline against three bots.
How to play Shelem
- Four players in two teams, partners opposite. The dealer gives everyone 12 cards in packets of four, starting on their right, and lays 4 face down in the middle (the widow). The deal moves one seat every hand.
- Points: each ace 10, each ten 10, each five 5 (100 in all) and 5 per trick; the hakem's buried cards count as one more trick, so every hand is worth 165.
- Bidding starts after the dealer: 100 to 165, each bid 5 or more above the last, or pass. A pass is final. When three have passed the fourth is the hakem; a bid of 165 is «shelem» and ends the auction at once. If all four pass, the next dealer deals again.
- The hakem takes the 4 widow cards, lays any 4 cards face down (their points go to the hakem's team), names trump and leads the first trick.
- Follow suit if you can; if not, trump or throw anything. The highest trump wins, else the highest card of the suit led. Aces are high.
- If the hakem's team takes at least its bid it scores everything it took; if it falls short it loses the amount of its bid. The other team always scores what it took.
- Shelem: if the hakem's team takes all 12 tricks it scores 330, whatever it bid. Bidding 165 and failing loses 330.
- The first team to reach 1165 (or 615 in a quick game) at the end of a hand wins; if both do, the higher score. Scores can go below zero.
These are the exact rules Hamdor plays by; the app shows them too, under each game's How to play tab.
Shelem the Iranian way
- Bids from 100 to 165: bidding starts after the dealer, each bid at least 5 above the last. A pass is final for that hand.
- A four-card widow: everyone gets 12 cards and 4 go face down in the middle. The hakem takes them, buries any 4 cards, and the buried points count for the hakem's team.
- 165 points per hand: aces and tens are 10 each, fives 5 each, and each trick 5; the hakem's buried cards count as one more trick.
- Shelem is 330: if the hakem's team takes all 12 tricks it scores 330 whatever it bid. A bid of 165 is called shelem, and failing it loses 330.
- Two game lengths: play to 1165 points, or a quick game to 615.
- Four players only: bots fill any empty seats and are always labelled as bots.
Shelem modes in Hamdor
- To 1165
- To 615 (quick)
Tips to win at Shelem
- Bid on your hand, not on the widow. The four widow cards may not help. Count your aces and the length of your best suit before you go up.
- Bury a short suit. Burying all the cards of a short suit makes you void early, so you can trump it.
- Bury tens and fives you might lose. An unguarded ten will likely fall to an opponent's ace; buried, its 10 points stay with your team.
- Feed points to your partner. When you are sure your partner is taking the trick, play your ten or five on it.
- Count the trumps. Each suit has 13 cards. Once the opponents are out of trump, your side aces and kings are safe winners.
- Respect the minus. If the hakem's team falls short, it loses the whole bid. Sometimes a pass beats a bid you can't make.
Shelem in Hamdor
- Online, ranked: play real opponents and earn a rating. If nobody turns up within a few seconds, a bot takes the seat and is labelled as a bot.
- Private rooms: create a room, send the code to your friends and chat with stickers and reactions while you play.
- Bots: play offline against bots, to practise or when nobody is online.
- Stats and streaks: your win rate, best winning streak and this game's leaderboard.
- Your own look: change how the table and pieces look in the Hamdor shop. It is cosmetic only and never affects who wins.
Shelem FAQ
How many players does Shelem need?
Four, in two teams of two with partners opposite. In Hamdor, bots fill any empty seats.
What does shelem mean?
Taking all 12 tricks as the hakem's team, worth 330 points. A bid of 165 is also called shelem; it ends the auction at once, and failing it costs 330.
How is Shelem different from Hokm?
In Hokm the hakem is chosen by the first ace and the goal is seven tricks. In Shelem the hakem wins an auction, takes a four-card widow, and the score depends on card points and tricks, not just the number of tricks.
Can I play Shelem offline?
Yes. Hamdor lets you play Shelem against three bots without an internet connection. Online play with friends needs a connection.