Item: Auction / FortyFives (Ad Free)
Rating: 82
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

82/100

Auction Fortyfives is a fantastic digital recreation of the classic trick-taking card game that's particularly beloved in Atlantic Canada and parts of Ireland. As a fan of the physical game, I was skeptical about how the 'Auction' phase would translate to a touch interface, but the developer has handled it brilliantly. The bidding logic for AI players is surprisingly robust—they won't let you 'shoot the moon' without a fight, and they're strategic enough to know when to play their high trumps to break a partner's lead.

The 'Ad-Free' version is definitely the way to go, providing a clean, uninterrupted experience that lets you focus on the strategy. The UI is minimalist and functional, prioritizing card clarity over flashy animations, which is exactly what a serious card player wants. Whether you're a veteran player looking to sharpen your skills or a newcomer trying to understand why the Five of Trumps is so powerful, this app serves as a perfect, portable table. It’s a niche title, but it executes its core gameplay with absolute precision.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026

Dinsun Review

Finally, a developer who understands that 'less is more.' This is a clean, ad-free implementation of Forty-Fives. No loot boxes, no daily logins, no 'battle passes' for card backs. It’s refreshing. The AI is actually competent—it won't replace a group of friends over a beer, but it provides a decent challenge for a solo session.

The UI is a bit dated—it looks like something from the early iOS 7 era—but it’s functional and clear. If you know how to play the game, you’ll be right at home. If you don't, the tutorial is a bit sparse. It’s a niche regional game, but for those who love it, this is probably the best digital version available. It’s simple, it’s honest, and it’s a game. I like that.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Zero ads
Strong AI opponents
Faithful ruleset

Dated visual design
Small multiplayer community
Sparse tutorial

Technical Report

Performance: Perfect performance. Very low battery drain.

Accessibility:

Large Card Mode

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love trick-taking card games and hate mobile ads.

Skip if: You want flashy animations and modern graphics.

Similar Games:

Euchre
Spades Plus

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun
Hardware: iPhone 13 Mini
Playtime: 15 hours
Status: Mastered AI difficulty

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1570375768

$4.99 4+★3.6 7 reviews

Author : Matt Kelly

Pubish Date : Thu Jun 03 2021

Last Update Date : Sat Jul 31 2021

Support Languages : English

Genres :

Version 1.1Sat Jul 31 2021

No ads play at the end of games.
OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME TO WIN 45
The goal is to accumulate as much tricks as possible. And to exceed your score above 120. When your score is above 120 you win.
Rank in trump suit:
Spades and clubs: 5 (high), J, A, K, Q, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Hearts and Diamonds: 5 (high), J, A, K, Q, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2.
Rank of cards in plain suits (no trump):
Spades and clubs: K (high), Q, J, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Diamonds: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A.
Hearts: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
BIDDING
The game starts off with Bidding stage of the game (15,20,25,30). You hold bids when you are the dealer and make bids if you are not.
CALLS TRUMP
If you have received the bid then you may call trump. Calling Trump allows you to decide what cards are the strongest. (Someone Always calls trump).
Discard Stage
The player whom called the Trump will receive a kitty (4 extra cards). When you receive the Kitty you will be able to discard cards. The player who did not call Trump will only be able to discard the cards he has.
THE PLAY
Each player, in turn, must follow suit if possible if trump has been player. If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card they would like. If players do not play trump they can play any card they like.
ACES OF HEARTS
The Ace of hearts ignores trump rules (Except when trump is Hearts). This card can be played strategically to maximize your trick taking potential.
Requires iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
OBJECTIVE OF THE GAME TO WIN 45
The goal is to accumulate as much tricks as possible. And to exceed your score above 120. When your score is above 120 you win.
Rank in trump suit:
Spades and clubs: 5 (high), J, A, K, Q, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Hearts and Diamonds: 5 (high), J, A, K, Q, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2.
Rank of cards in plain suits (no trump):
Spades and clubs: K (high), Q, J, A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
Diamonds: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, A.
Hearts: K (high), Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.
BIDDING
The game starts off with Bidding stage of the game (15,20,25,30). You hold bids when you are the dealer and make bids if you are not.
CALLS TRUMP
If you have received the bid then you may call trump. Calling Trump allows you to decide what cards are the strongest. (Someone Always calls trump).
Discard Stage
The player whom called the Trump will receive a kitty (4 extra cards). When you receive the Kitty you will be able to discard cards. The player who did not call Trump will only be able to discard the cards he has.
THE PLAY
Each player, in turn, must follow suit if possible if trump has been player. If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card they would like. If players do not play trump they can play any card they like.
ACES OF HEARTS
The Ace of hearts ignores trump rules (Except when trump is Hearts). This card can be played strategically to maximize your trick taking potential.

Ratings & Reviews

3.6 out of 5 with 7 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 4+

Auction Fortyfives brings the legendary card game to your mobile device with a focus on authentic rules and strategic depth. Players compete in teams or solo to bid on the number of points they can take in a round. With a unique trump hierarchy—where the 5 of trumps is the highest card—every hand requires careful planning and tactical execution. This version offers a premium, ad-free experience with adjustable difficulty settings and intuitive touch controls.

Features

Authentic Auction Fortyfives ruleset

Challenging AI with multiple difficulty levels

Clean, ad-free interface for focused play

Detailed statistics and game history

Tips

Mastering the Bid

In Auction Fortyfives, bidding '15' is standard, but if you have the 5 of trumps or the Jack, consider pushing to '20' or '25' to secure the lead. Remember that your partner can help you reach your goal, so don't be afraid to bid aggressively if you have a strong anchor card.

Promotion Videos

How to Play Auction Forty Fives Card Game At Home - YouTube

Gameplays

Trump Hierarchy

The ranking of cards changes significantly in Fortyfives. The 5 of trumps is always the 'Best' card, followed by the Jack of trumps and the Ace of Hearts. Understanding this hierarchy is the first step to winning high-level matches.