Bid Whist Plus

Pros

• An accurate representation of bid whist with some great social functionality included
• Four different game types with a healthy amount of customization options
• A free to play experience

Cons

• Includes real money microtransactions

Bid Whist Plus is one of the most fully featured games of bid whist available for mobile devices. While the core audience for this somewhat esoteric card game may not be that huge, it's a great choice for anyone looking to find a new spin on the traditional formulas of whist or bridge.

Zynga has spent years earning a name for themselves as one of the most prolific game studios working in the mobile space, and while they may churn out an unbelievable amount of games in a very short amount of time, there's usually a decent level of polish to most of the games that bear their name. Big Whist Plus is no different. It's not going to rewrite the book on bid whist, but it offers a dependable and serviceable approach to the traditional card game. For those unfamiliar, big whist builds on the formula of whist by adding a bidding element, and it's largely seen as a precursor to popular card games like spades and bridge. This is a partners game that's typically played competitively, and Zynga has built a robust multiplayer experience that suits multiple different styles of play. With a user base that includes thousands of daily players, there's almost always tables available regardless of where you live or what time of day it is.

Four different game modes are available. Classic is the traditional spin on big whist, partnering you with a random or chosen compatriot and asking you to compete with other partners at a designated table with traditional rules. Solo strips out the team element but otherwise follows the rules as given. There's also a traditional version of whist that removes the bidding element entirely. Finally, players can use the VIP mode to create their own private tables with custom rules and determine who's allowed to join using specific criteria. Both private and public tables can be created, and the person creating the table has control over everything from the game rule type to the betting amount to the final point value.

Bid whist is an inherently social experience, and Zynga has done a good job of replicating that in their version of the game. Given the experience that Zynga has working in social gaming environments, that will likely come as no surprise. An open chat option is available at most public tables, but players have the option to disable those for VIP games. There's also a dedicated friends system that lets you more easily track your favorite players and challenge them to a game directly. Bid Whist Plus is free to play, and while there are in game purchases available, this game is pretty generous with its currency. Players typically can't make themselves more competitive by spending real money.

Pros

• An accurate representation of bid whist with some great social functionality included
• Four different game types with a healthy amount of customization options
• A free to play experience

Cons

• Includes real money microtransactions