The game is derived from piquet,[1] possibly via marriage (sixty-six) and briscan, with additional scoring features, notably the peculiar liaison of the Q♠ and J♦ that is also a feature of pinochle, Binokel, and similarly named games that vary by country.

[2] An early theory that appeared in the 1864 edition of The American Hoyle was that bezique originated in Sweden as the result of a royal competition.

It is said that during the reign of the First Charles (presumed to mean Charles I of England who reigned from 1625 to 1649)--a reward having been offered by that monarch for the best game of cards, to combine certain requirements--a poor schoolmaster, by name Gustave Flaker, presented for the prize the game of cards which he called Flakernuhle, which was accepted by his royal master, and he made the recipient very happy with the promised purse of gold.

The game became very popular in Sweden, and was finally introduced to Germany, changed in some respects, and called Penuchle.

[7] This appears to be corroborated by Anton (1879) who tells us that Besigue originally came from the regions of Angouleme, Poitou, and Saintonge on France's Atlantic coast where it was called besit.

[9] In English-speaking nations, Binocles, meaning eyeglasses with this pronunciation, became the name for Bezique with minor rule variations, ultimately evolving into Pinochle.

[11][12] Perhaps the most famous proponent of the game was Winston Churchill, an avid player and early expert of six-pack, or "Chinese" bezique.

[13] There is some evidence that the English writers Wilkie Collins and Christina Rossetti were also enthusiasts.

The holder of the trump 7 is entitled to exchange it for the turn-up card at any time when on lead, scoring 10 points.

At the game's conclusion, each player counts the number of brisques (aces and tens) they have won in tricks.

The declared cards, left face upwards on the table, still form part of the hand, and are played to subsequent tricks at the discretion of the holder.

The mode of play for these last eight tricks is according to normal whist rules in that each player must now follow suit if possible, with the additional constraint that they must win the trick if possible, by playing a higher card or by ruffing.

Bezique is not generally perceived to be a difficult game, though remembering the possible meld combinations and scoring can be confusing for the complete novice.

Once the general pattern of playing a trick, declaring a meld (if any) and then drawing a new card from the talon is established in the mind, the player should then focus on tactics.

Required are two packs of cards and a sheet of paper and pen to collate scores.

Special bezique markers were made at the height of the game's popularity but mostly these are rare now.

In a variation of the game, if a player finds no face card in his hand (A, 10, K, Q or J), a "carte blanche" may be declared which receives 50 points from the opponent.

They are only used for scoring brisques Note that there is no obligation to follow suit or to trump in this part of the game.

The winner of the trick has an opportunity to present a meld by declaring his combination and placing them face upwards on the table.

Traditionally, the first player to reach 1,000 points wins, which normally involves an average of three to four rounds being played.

However, a different target figure may be agreed upon before play begins, such as the first person to reach 2,000 points.