Instructions Barbu

Objective

Barbu is a trick-taking game with varying rules each round, typically played with four players and a standard 52-card deck. The goal is to accumulate the fewest penalty points and the most positive points over several rounds by either taking or avoiding certain tricks in different scenarios.

Setup

Four players sit at a table, and a complete deck of 52 playing cards (ranked 2 to Ace, without Jokers) is used. All cards are dealt equally among the players, so each player has 13 cards.

Game Rounds

The game consists of a total of 28 rounds, with each of the four players taking turns as the "dealer" for seven rounds each. The dealer selects from seven possible contracts, which define the goal and rules for the current round. The seven possible contracts are:

1. No King of Hearts (Barbu): Avoid taking the King of Hearts.
2. No Hearts: Avoid capturing tricks containing Hearts.
3. No Last Two Tricks: Avoid winning the last two tricks of the round.
4. No Queens: Avoid capturing Queens in tricks.
5. No Tricks: Avoid winning any tricks.
6. Trump Round: Aim to win as many tricks as possible. The dealer specifies the trump.
7. General Round: This is like a classic trick-taking game, where specific cards or combinations must be either avoided or captured.

Rules and Scoring

Each contract has different penalties or rewards based on complexity. In "No-X" games, players receive penalty points for each adverse trick. In "Trump rounds," players earn points for each trick won. The player with the most points after 28 rounds wins the game.

Specifically, in "No King of Hearts," the player who captures the King of Hearts loses 40 points. For "No Queens", you lose 10 points per Queen, and for "No Hearts", you lose 2 points per Heart card.

Strategic Considerations

• Card Counting: Since all cards are dealt, it's crucial to remember which cards have been played.

• Card Management: Adjust your play style based on the current contract. Hold back high cards to avoid capturing tricks in unfavorable scenarios.

• Bluffing and Deception: Exploit other players’ behavior to force them into unwanted tricks.

Nuances

Barbu is a variations game that requires tactical thinking and practice to switch effectively between contracts. Stay flexible and adjust your strategy according to the round and opponents.