Objective of the Game
King is a trick-taking game where players aim to score points by winning or avoiding certain tricks. The game is played over several rounds with individual objectives that are either positively or negatively scored.
Game Materials
- One standard deck of 52 cards
- 3 to 5 players
Gameplay
King is played over a total of ten rounds. The first six rounds are "negative," where avoiding certain cards is the goal, while the last four rounds are "positive," focusing on winning specific tricks or cards.
1. Setup
- Shuffle the deck and deal cards evenly to all players.
- The order of players is the same each round.
2. Negative Rounds (First Six)
- No Hearts: Avoid winning any hearts.
- No Queens: Try not to win any queen.
- No King of Diamonds: Avoid winning the King of Diamonds.
- No last two tricks.
- No tricks at all.
- No cards.
Scoring: Negative points are given for winning the above-mentioned cards/tricks.
3. Positive Rounds (Last Four)
- Hearts: Aim to win as many heart cards as possible.
- Queens: Try to win all the queens.
- King of Diamonds: Win the King of Diamonds.
- Maximum Tricks: Win as many tricks as possible.
Scoring: Positive points are awarded for winning the cards/tricks specified.
4. Playing a Round
- Each player plays one card per trick, following the suit of the first card played when possible. The player with the highest card in the leading suit wins the trick.
Special Strategies
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Card Counting: Keep track of what cards have been played to maximize your chances of predicting what's left in play.
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Key Trick Control: Strategically hold onto cards to win or avoid certain tricks.
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Bluffing: Deceive your opponents to make them play into your hands.
Game End
The game ends after the tenth round. The winner is the player with the highest score.
Conclusion
King offers a varied mix of strategy and luck. The different types of rounds challenge players to both avoid and aim for specific tricks, keeping the game dynamic and engaging.
