How to play Lockup
A practical guide to the objective, legal flow, and decisions that matter in this playable version.
Objective
Lockup is a four-player trick-taking game with no trump. Each captured trick scores one point, but each Club captured schedules one skipped trick for the winner, limited to the tricks left in that round. The match ends after a round when one player is the unique leader with at least 20 points.
How a turn works
Follow the led suit when possible; its highest card wins, with Aces high. You may not lead Clubs while holding another suit. A Club Jack, Queen, or King may be played over a picture card of the same rank even when you could follow suit. During each locked-out trick, one random card is removed from your hand.
Strategy that changes the outcome
Compare the point from winning a trick with the Clubs it contains. Taking a club-free trick preserves your next turn; capturing several Clubs gives up several chances to score. Track players who are sitting out, because fewer active opponents change which cards can win.
First decision: Prefer club-free tricks: captured Clubs can cost you later turns in the round, with one card removed for each turn you skip.
A common mistake to avoid
Captured Clubs lock out the player who wins them, not the opponents. Clubs do not act as trump: an off-suit Club can add a penalty without winning the trick.
Three useful table habits
- Count Clubs in the current trick before choosing a winner.
- Check who is locked out before planning the next lead.
- Use a matching Club picture to shed a Club legally.
A question players ask
Why are some Lockup cards unavailable?
A locked player skips a whole trick and loses a random card. Active players follow suit, except for the matching Club-picture rule; Clubs also cannot be led while another suit remains. Check the lock status and legal-card highlights before choosing a card.
About this guide
We compare the rules shown in the game with the implemented legal moves, complete representative deals, and review desktop and mobile presentation. If a house rule changes play, the in-game How to play panel takes precedence. Read How games are researched and tested.