Objective of the Game
Tarock is a card game traditionally played with a special set of 54 cards. The aim is to achieve the highest possible score by successfully announcing games and collecting valuable cards.
Setup
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Deck: Tarock is played with a special deck consisting of 54 cards, including 22 trump cards numbered from I to XXI, and an unnumbered trump known as the "Sküs". Additionally, there are four suits similar to traditional playing cards (spades, hearts, diamonds, clubs), each with ranks from King, Queen, Knight, Jack down to 1.
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Number of Players: Tarock is typically played with three to four players.
Gameplay
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Dealing: Each player receives 12 cards, and the remainder forms a talon (remainder pile).
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Announcements: The dealer announces which game will be played. This could be "Announcement Game", "Solo", "Threesome", etc., each with different levels of difficulty and point values.
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Trick-taking Rounds: Players take turns playing a card, with the highest card winning the trick. There is a suit-following rule, where players must follow suit if possible.
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Scoring: At the end of the rounds, collected cards are scored according to specific rules, e.g., Kings and trump cards count more points.
Strategy
- Card Counting: Keep track of which cards have been played to predict future plays.
- Use of Tarot: Strategically use the powerful trump cards to ensure you win crucial tricks.
- Planning Ahead: Decide strategically when to play high cards to secure later tricks.
Variations
Tarock has many regional variants and rules which can be agreed upon between players. Famous examples include "Königrufen" in Austria or "Tapp-Tarock" in Germany.
With these basic rules, you should be ready to join a game of Tarock. Enjoy playing!
