Großtarock (Danish)

Three Player

Deal

At the start and whenever a pot is empty, each player (including one sitting out) contributes 20.

Before dealing, the Dealer pays 5 to each pot, and moves them to her right. The Deal and play are counter-clockwise. The cards are dealt in packets of 5. The Dealer takes the remaining three cards (the Talon) into her hand, and discards an equal number face down in front of herself, which will count for her at the end. She may never discard an Honour (a King, the I or XXI of Trumps, or the ’Scuse), nor a card that forms part of a declaration (unless necessary). She may only discard trumps if she thereby becomes void in them.

Declarations

Beginning with the dealer, each player may make any of the following declarations, and be payed for them immediately by the other players.

Trumps

‘Ten Trumps’ is worth 10 points; more may be declared for 5 more each. (E.g., ‘Eleven Trumps’ is 15, ‘Twelve Trumps’ is 20, &c.) It must be stated whether ‘with’ or ‘without’ the Pagat.

Matadors

‘Three Matadors’ consists of the three cards of the Trull, for 10 points. ‘Four Matadors’ adds the XX of Trumps for 15, ‘Five Matadors’ the XX and XIX for 20 , &c.

Cavalry

A ‘Cavalry’ is a set of all four Court Cards in one suit for 10; a ‘Half Cavalry’ is any three Court Cards in one suit plus the ’Scuse for 5, and an ‘Abundant Cavalry’ is all four Courts plus the ’Scuse. for 15. The suit (and missing card) must be named.

Kings

‘Kings’ is all four Kings for 10; ‘Half Kings’ is any three plus the ’Scuse for 5, and ‘Abundant Kings’ is all four Kings plus the ’Scuse. for 15. The missing suit (for Half) must be named.

Play

Eldest leads to the first trick. All must follow in turn with a card of the suit led, if possible; otherwise they must play a Trump; otherwise they may play any card. The player of the highest Trump (if any), or otherwise the highest card of the suit led, wins the trick and places the cards face down in front her. She then leads to the next trick.

The cards in the Traditional order: In black or ‘straight’ suits, the numerals follow the Courts in descending order; in red or ‘round’ suits, the numerals follow the Courts in ascending order:

• ♠♣︎ K Q Kn J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
• ♥♦ K Q Kn J 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
• XXI, XX, XIX, ... IV, III, II, I

The ’Scuse is the exception to the obligation to follow suit or trump. It may be played at any time and excuses the player. Instead of being collected with the trick, however, it is taken into the player’s own trick pile and another card from the player’s trick pile is given to the winner of the trick instead. Note that if the player of the ’Scuse takes no tricks, he must surrender it to the winner of that trick. If played to the last trick, the ’Scuse is lost the winner of the trick. (This is the ‘classic’ use of the ’Scuse; in the Tapp Tarock family it will become simply Trump XXII.)

The ’Scuse may never be played to the next-to-last trick. On the third-to-last trick, a player who does not have it may demand that it be played.

Any player who loses a King or the Pagat before the last trick pays 5 to each other player, and to the appropriate pot; if a player wins a trick with the Pagat (but not a King) before the last trick, both other players pay him 5.

Score

The following feats are then scored for:

Slam

If a player takes all 25 tricks, both others pay him 85, as well as the card points. He also takes both pots.

Nill

If just one player takes no tricks, each pay him 25. Ultimos and cards are not scored; failed ultimos are.

Ultimo

If a player takes the last trick with the Pagat or King, she receives the contents of the apropriate pot, and 45 from each for a Pagat Ultimo, or 40 for a King.

Failed Ultimo

A player who plays a King or Pagat to the last trick but does not win the trick doubles the appropriate pot and pays the ultimo value to each other player.

Last Trick

If none of the above has occured, the player of the last trick receives 20 from each.

Cards are counted as usual.

Card Ranks and Values

The cards rank as follows from high to low in each suit:

To count the number of Card Points taken, add up the point values from the counting cards (the face cards, the ’Scuse, Mond, and Pagat), and count in addition 1 point for every three cards.