Objective of the Game
Lomber is a classic card game often played with a standard deck of 32 cards. The objective of the game is to outscore the opponents by winning tricks with a higher point value.
Game Components
- A deck of 32 cards (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7 in the suits of Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs)
- Scoring markers or sheets to keep track of points
Number of Players
Lomber is ideally played with three players.
Setup
- Shuffle the cards thoroughly and let the player to the left of the dealer cut the deck.
- Each player receives 10 cards. The remaining 2 cards are set aside as the “talon.”
Game Flow
-
Bidding: The player to the left of the dealer starts the bidding process. The player with the highest bid becomes the "Declarer." Bidding involves terms like "Pass," "Play," "Contra," etc., depending on the variant being played.
-
Picking up the Talon: The declarer may pick up the talon and discard two cards facedown, based on agreements.
-
Declaring the Contract: The declarer announces what type of game he wants to play (e.g., a simple game, Grand, etc.). Depending on the type of contract, the scores will vary.
-
Determining Trump Suit: The declarer may choose a trump suit, which will override other suits in terms of power.
-
Playing the Cards: The player to the left of the dealer plays the first card. The other players follow in clockwise order. Whoever wins the trick plays the next card.
-
Scoring: After all cards are played, count the points. Each card has a fixed point value, and some tricks may include bonus points.
Strategies and Special Considerations
- Bluffing: Try to bluff your opponents with a high bid to unsettle their strategy.
- Card Counting: Keep track of which important cards have been played to adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Trump Selection: Wisely choose the trump suit to enhance your winning likelihood.
- Trick Planning: Try to anticipate which cards your opponents might play to counter effectively.
Lomber is a game of skillful bidding, trick-taking, and bluffing that demands tactical prowess from its players.
