Instructions Dreierschnapsen

Objective of the Game

Dreierschnapsen is a traditional Austrian card game, which is a variant of "Schnapsen" (also known as "Schafkopf") played with three players. The objective of the game is to be the first player to reach 7 or more points. This is achieved by winning tricks and announcing certain card combinations like marriages of Kings and Queens.

Game Materials

• A 20-card deck consisting of Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and Tens in the four standard suits.

Game Setup

1. Each player receives five cards at the beginning of the game.
2. The remaining five cards form the Talon and are placed in the center of the table, with the top card turned face up. This card determines the trump suit.

Gameplay

1. Starting with the player to the left of the dealer, each player plays one card to the trick. The player who plays the highest card of the led suit wins the trick and takes the top card from the Talon. The other players also draw cards from the Talon in order.

2. A trump suit can win against another suit unless the players have played the same suit. The ranking order is Ace (highest), Ten, King, Queen, Jack.

3. Announcements: Players may announce specific combinations to earn extra points:

4. Marriages: In the trump suit, holding King and Queen earns 40 points.

5. Bauern/Tricks: If players hold Jack and Ten of the same suit, they may announce 20 points, provided the player has won the trick and the Talon is not yet empty.

6. End Game Phase: Once the Talon has been depleted, players must play out their remaining cards. Here, the order of play must be followed, with the winner of each trick taking the lead on the next trick.

Scoring and Winning

• Point Scoring: Each trick won counts towards the player's score, in addition to points from announced combinations (Marriages, Bachelors).
• The game ends once a player accumulates 7 or more points.

Strategic Tips

• Be aware of the cards that have already been played to develop a strategy for the final tricks.
• Try to control the Talon effectively using your high cards.
• Timing your announcements to maximize advantage is crucial.

Dreierschnapsen offers a mix of strategy, luck, and tactics, making it a delightful game for those who enjoy traditional card games.