The hearts of the current level rank are wild cards. They can represent non-joker cards when forming a legal combination. At level 7, the two heart 7s are wild. The other 7s are elevated level cards, but they are not wild.
These examples use this game’s standard table rules. A local club may have additional conventions about declaring a combination, so agree on those before playing.
What can a heart 7 do at level 7?
- A natural 9 and a heart 7 can form a pair of 9s.
- Two natural queens and a heart 7 can form three queens.
- A 3, 4, 5, 6 and heart 7 can form a five-card straight, with the heart 7 taking its natural position.
- A 3, 4, 6, a separate natural 7 and heart 7 can form a 3–7 straight, with the wild card replacing the missing 5.
- Three natural 9s and a heart 7 can form a four-card bomb of 9s.
First identify the complete combination you want to play. Then assign the wild card to a missing position. One card cannot fill two positions, and using a wild card does not give a bomb an extra ranking bonus.
Can a wild card replace a joker?
No. Three jokers plus a wild card cannot make the four-joker bomb. Jokers also cannot be inserted into straights or consecutive-pair and consecutive-triple combinations.
A wild card played alone is simply a level card. You cannot declare it to be a big joker. Two wild cards played alone as a pair are a pair of level cards: at level 7 they beat an ordinary pair of aces, but not a pair of jokers.
Should you always save a wild card for a bomb?
Consider what it does to the rest of your hand. Completing a straight may turn five awkward cards into one playable combination. Saving the same card for a potential bomb can leave you needing several separate leads to clear those cards.
The decision changes near the end of a hand. If an opponent has only one or two cards left, preserving a bomb that can interrupt their finish may matter more than reducing loose cards. Compare both arrangements and ask what you can lead after taking control. Neither choice guarantees a win.
Why is my selected combination invalid?
Check that a straight has exactly five cards, contains no joker, and uses a heart of the current level as its wild card. An ordinary heart is not wild. When the same selection admits more than one interpretation, check the combination shown before committing your play.
For your next practice hand, look for a simple combination with one missing position. Once that feels natural, try rearranging the whole hand with and without the wild card.
Next: Which bomb beats a straight flush? or the complete rules guide.
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