Troccas (Tarock)

Objective

Troccas, also known as "Tarock," is a traditional card game predominantly played in Switzerland and France. The aim of the game is to collect as many points as possible by winning tricks. Players must strategically use their cards to play the strongest combinations and thereby win the most tricks.

Setup

Troccas is played with a special deck of 78 cards, consisting of 56 cards in four suits (hearts, bells, acorns, and flowers) and 22 trump cards, commonly referred to as tarot cards.

Number of Players

Troccas can be played with 3 to 4 players.

Gameplay

1. Dealing the Cards

• All cards are shuffled and then distributed according to the number of players.
• With three players, each receives 25 cards; with four players, 19 cards each. The remaining cards form the talon.

2. Announcing Trump

The player to the left of the dealer decides the trump suit or can pass. In some variations, a trump suit is automatically set.

3. The Trick

• The player to the left of the dealer starts the first round by playing a card of their choice.
• The other players follow in clockwise order and must play a card of the same suit if they have one.
• If a player cannot follow suit, they may play a trump card or discard any other card.
• The player with the highest card of the leading suit or the highest trump wins the trick and leads the next round.

4. Scoring

• Each card has a specific point value, and points are tallied at the end of the game to determine the winner.
• Kings and trump cards carry the highest point values.
• Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens are also worth points.

Special Rules and Strategies

• Follow Suit Rule: Players must follow the suit played whenever possible.
• Trump Rule: If you cannot follow suit, you may play a trump, which may win the trick.
• Card Counting: Experienced players keep track of played cards to anticipate which cards remain.
• Bluffing and Deception: Sometimes strategically holding on to a strong card can help win a crucial trick later.

End of the Game

The game concludes after all cards have been played. Each player tallies their points, and the player with the highest point total wins.

Note: Troccas can be played in different variants depending on the region and playing group, so it's important to confirm specific house rules before starting a game.