Objective of the Game
Troggu is a traditional card game from the Swiss-Austrian Alpine region, played by four players in two fixed partnerships. The objective of the game is to use strategic card play to collect more points than the opposing team.
Equipment
- A special Troggu deck with 33 cards: typically numbered 6 to 10, followed by picture cards Jack, Queen, King, Ober (also known as "trump"), and Unter, and the highest card, the Banner.
Setup
- Partner Formation: Partners sit opposite each other.
- Dealing the Cards: A shuffled deck is entirely dealt out, giving each player 8 cards, with one card remaining face down in the deck.
Gameplay
- Determining Trump or Troggu Announcement: The player to the right of the dealer chooses either the trump suit or decides on "Troggu":
- Trump Suit: All cards of the chosen suit become trump, outranking any non-trump cards except higher trumps.
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Troggu: There is no trump, and the aim is to collect as few points as possible.
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Round Play (Trick-taking):
- The player to the left of the dealer plays the first card, proceeding clockwise.
- Players must follow suit if possible, adhering to:
- Overcoming the trick with a trump card (if unable to follow suit).
- Playing any other card if no trump is available.
- The player who plays the highest card wins the trick and leads the next one.
Scoring
- Points Distribution:
- Card Values: Banner = 11 points, Unter = 10 points, Ober = 3 points, King = 4 points, Queen = 2 points, Jack = 0 points.
- Aim to score more than half of the 157 possible points (i.e., at least 79).
- Troggu Variant:
- When Troggu is chosen, the team aims to avoid tricks or collect as few points as possible.
Winning Conditions
- The team with the most points after a predetermined number of rounds wins the game. In the Troggu variant, the team with the least points is favored.
Strategy and Tips
- Placement of the Banner: Use the Banner wisely to win crucial tricks.
- Awareness of Trump Suit: Hold back your trump cards or play them at a strategically advantageous moment.
- Partner Communication: While direct card talk is prohibited, you can give hints through your gameplay style.
Troggu combines strategic decision-making with teamwork, offering an exciting and varied gameplay experience.
