Instructions Jass

Objective

Jass is a traditional card game widely played in Switzerland. The objective of the game is to be the first team (in team play) to reach a predetermined score, usually 1000 points. This is achieved by winning tricks and declaring and fulfilling trump declarations.

Setup

Jass is played with a deck of 36 cards. These cards consist of the suits Acorns (Clubs), Shields (Spades), Roses (Hearts), and Bells (Diamonds). Each suit has cards numbered Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6.

Number of Players

Jass is ideally played by 4 players in two teams, but there are also variants for 2 or 3 players.

Game Play

1. Dealing the Cards: The dealer deals 9 cards to each player.
2. Declaring Trump Suit: The player to the left of the dealer decides which suit will be trump. Alternatively, the player may pass, allowing the next player to choose. If no suit is chosen, the cards are redealt.
3. The Game: The player to the right of the dealer plays the first card. Players must follow suit if possible. If a player can't, they may play a trump card or discard any card.
4. Winning Tricks: The highest trump wins the trick. If no trump is played, the highest card of the lead suit wins.
5. Scoring: Points are awarded at the end of each round for winning tricks. The aim is to accumulate as many points as possible.

The value of cards is as follows: - Ace: 11 points
- King: 4 points
- Queen: 3 points
- Jack: 2 points
- 10: 10 points
- Other cards: 0 points

1. Jass Key Exception:
   • Trump Suit: The trump Jack is the strongest trump card.
   • Under: Special in the trump suit, the trump Jack gets 20 points, the trump nine gets 14 points (sometimes referred to as the under).
2. Bonus Points: In addition to normal card points, players can earn bonus points for specific combinations or announcing melds:
   • Stöck: (King and Queen of the same suit) - 20 points

Special Aspects

In Jass, strategy often outweighs luck. Players should pay attention to the cards that are played and assess which cards remain. Communication with your partner is key to control the game flow in a team setting. Bluffs can lure opponents into playing their strong cards early. It's also crucial to know when to play trump to gain the best advantage.

Conclusion

Jass is a complex game that involves skill, communication, and strategy. The simple handling of cards and tactical depth makes it an engaging game that can be enjoyed in a casual setting as well as serious competitive mode.