Objective of the Game:
The goal in Oh Hell (also known as "Kein Stich" in some regions) is to accurately predict the number of tricks you will take in a round and score accordingly.
Setup:
Oh Hell is typically played with a standard deck of cards (excluding jokers) for 3-7 players. Before each round, players agree on the number of cards dealt to each).
- Shuffle: The dealer thoroughly shuffles the deck.
- Dealing: Each player receives a certain number of cards. This number varies from round to round, typically starting from one card up to the number of players, then reducing back down to one.
Gameplay:
- Predict: After the cards are dealt, players make a secret prediction about how many tricks they expect to take in that round.
- Round Start: The player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick by playing any card.
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Taking Tricks: The other players must follow suit, if possible. If unable to follow suit, a player may play any card. The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick, unless a trump card is played. The highest trump card wins.
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Trump Suit: At the start of each round, one card is flipped over to determine the trump suit. If no trump card is used, there is no trump suit.
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Scoring: Players who win exactly the number of tricks they predicted score points. A common scoring system awards 10 points for a correct prediction plus the number of tricks taken.
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Round End: After a predetermined number of rounds, the game ends, and total scores are compared.
Strategic Tips:
- Observe: Pay close attention to the cards played by others. This helps in gauging remaining cards in play.
- Cautious Prediction: It’s often safer to make conservative predictions, especially in uncertain trump situations.
- Flexible Tactics: Depending on your hand, it may be strategically beneficial to avoid tricks to ensure points for correct predictions.
Oh Hell is an engaging card game that demands strategic foresight and skill and can greatly enrich social gatherings.
