b-e-z-i-q-u-e
BEZIQUE is a classic trick-taking card game popular in the 19th century, played with a special deck. In word games, this unique 7-letter word featuring both Z and Q tiles scores an impressive 27 base points.
27
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
BEZIQUE is a sophisticated card game that originated in France in the early 19th century and became wildly popular across Europe and America. Played with a 64-card deck (using only Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s, 9s, 8s, and 7s from two standard decks), it combines elements of trick-taking and melding.
The game reached its peak popularity during the Victorian era, particularly among the upper classes. Winston Churchill was known to be an avid bezique player, often playing with his mother, Lady Randolph Churchill. The game requires both strategy and memory, as players must track cards played while planning their melds.
In bezique, the titular "bezique" is a specific meld consisting of the Queen of Spades and Jack of Diamonds, worth 40 points. A double bezique (two of each) scores 500 points, making it one of the most valuable combinations in the game. Players score through both winning tricks and declaring melds of specific card combinations.
The game influenced the development of other card games, particularly Pinochle, which uses similar melding mechanics. Various forms exist, including two-handed bezique, three-handed bezique, and the more complex six-pack bezique (using six decks), which Churchill particularly favored.
For Scrabble players, BEZIQUE is a treasure. With both Z (10 points) and Q (10 points), it's one of the highest-scoring 7-letter words that doesn't require a blank tile. The word exemplifies how knowledge of historical games and specialized vocabulary can provide significant advantages in word games.
BEZIQUE has a disputed etymology, with several theories about its origin. The most widely accepted derives from the French "bésigue" or "bézigue," which appeared in early 19th-century France. Some linguists trace it to the Italian "bazzica," meaning "card game."
Another theory connects it to the Persian "bāzīgar," meaning "player" or "gambler," suggesting the game may have Middle Eastern roots that traveled to Europe through trade routes. This would parallel the journey of playing cards themselves, which originated in Asia.
The specific card combination called "bezique" (Queen of Spades and Jack of Diamonds) may have influenced the game's name, though it's equally possible the meld was named after the game. This chicken-and-egg puzzle remains unresolved in gaming history.
The word entered English in the 1860s as the game gained popularity in Britain. Various spellings existed initially - "bésique," "besique," and "bezique" - before standardizing to the current form. The game's French origins remained evident in its pronunciation and spelling.
Bezique occupied a position in 19th-century society similar to Bridge in the 20th century - it was the sophisticated card game of choice for the educated classes. The game appeared in the finest clubs and drawing rooms across Europe and America.
Literature of the era frequently references bezique. In Wilkie Collins' novels and various Victorian memoirs, characters often gather for bezique parties. The game served as both entertainment and social lubricant, allowing for conversation during play.
The game's decline began after World War I as Bridge rose to prominence. However, bezique's influence persists in modern card games, particularly in the melding mechanics found in Rummy variants and its direct descendant, Pinochle.
•BEZIQUE scores 27 base points with its Z (10) and Q (10) - one of the highest-scoring 7-letter words without blanks
•Winston Churchill played six-pack bezique for hours, claiming it helped him think through complex political problems
•The bezique deck's 64 cards represent exactly one-quarter of a six-pack bezique deck (384 cards total)
•BEZIQUE is one of few common English words containing both Q and Z, making it valuable for clearing difficult tiles
"Churchill spent evenings playing bezique while pondering wartime strategies."
"The Victorian ladies gathered for their weekly bezique party at the club."
"She declared a double bezique and scored 500 points in one hand!"
"Playing BEZIQUE cleared both my Q and Z tiles for 77 points with the bonus!"
Total base points: 27 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 4 | Consonants: 3
High-value tile strategies:
PIQUET
Similar card game
WHIST
Trick-taking game
BRIDGE
Modern card game
EUCHRE
Trick-taking game
PINOCHLE
Bezique descendant
CANASTA
Melding game
Other valuable words in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like BEZIQUE