KLAVERJAS
Game Rules
The game Klaverjas or Klaverjassen is the Dutch name for a four player trick-taking card game. It is closely related to the card game klaberjass, which is popular internationally and also known as Bela, and various other names. It is one of the most popular card games in the Netherlands. In the meantime, however, it is also played mainly in Switzerland. It has numerous variants, but universal fundamental rules exists.
Setup
The game is played clockwise by four players in two teams, partners sitting opposite as in whist. All cards are dealt to the players, in batches of 3–2–3 or 4–4.
Bidding
Starting with the elder hand, the first player prepared to do so chooses a trump suit and thereby becomes obliged to win the deal. Various versions handle the special case when all players pass differently.
Gameplay
As in most trick-taking games, players must follow suit if they can, and the highest trump in the trick, or in the absence of trumps the highest card in the suit of the first card, takes the trick. But there are additional restrictions on the cards that may be played. There are two variants; both agree that following a trump lead all players must head the trick if they can.
Rotterdam rules:
A player who cannot follow suit must trump if possible. A player who plays a trump must head the trick if possible, even if the player's partner currently heads the trick.
Amsterdam rules:
Undertrumping is only allowed when it cannot be avoided. A player who cannot follow suit and whose partner is not heading the trick must head the trick if possible.
Aces and tens are high, i.e. cards in ordinary suits rank Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, 7. The Jack ("Jas") and nine ("Nel") in the trump suit, however, are the highest trumps. Thus trumps rank Jack, 9, Ace, 10, King, Queen, 8, 7.
Scoring
The point values of cards are as in Jass and Belote. In addition, the last trick ("Slag") scores 10 points. Accordingly, the card values and the last trick add up to a total of 162 points.
Additional points are scored by players who have certain combinations in a single trick: Four cards of the same rank (very rare) – 100 (or 200 for four jacks), 3 or 4 consecutive cards in the same suit – 20/50, King and Queen of trumps ("Stuk") – 20. These additional points combinations are called "roem", and must be declared explicitly, otherwise they don't count. Any 3 consecutive cards on the deck, 20pts (when K,Q are included with trump cards, +20points) Any 4 consecutive cards on the deck, 50pts (idem, eg. A,K,Q of trump makes 40points).
There is a reward of 100 points if the other team doesn't get any tricks. This is called a march ("pit").
At the end of each round, all points are tallied (card values and the last trick plus roem). It is up to the team of players who made the deal to win more points than the opposing team. If they obtain half of the points or less, then all points go to the opposing team (162 plus all the roem). This is called "nat".
End of game
Normally the game is played over 16 rounds. At the end of the game, all points are summed up and the team who has the most points overall wins the game.