Objective of the Game
Manille is a card game where the goal is to collect points by winning tricks. The objective is to score as many points as possible. The game is typically played by four players in two teams, but there are versions for two or three players as well.
Cards and Ranks
Manille is played with a 32-card deck consisting of cards ranked from 7 to Ace in the four suits: hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs. The ranking of cards in each suit from highest to lowest is as follows:
- Ace
- 10
- King
- Queen
- Jack
- 9
- 8
- 7
The card values are:
- Ace = 11 points
- 10 = 10 points
- King = 4 points
- Queen = 3 points
- Jack = 2 points
- 9, 8, 7 = 0 points
Gameplay
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Dealing Cards: Each player receives eight cards.
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Determine Trump Suit: The trump suit is decided either by the bottom card of the deck or the top card of the cut deck, which is revealed.
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Trick-taking: The player to the dealer's left starts the game by playing any card. The other players must follow suit if possible, playing a card of the same suit. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any other card.
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Trump Suit: A trump card will beat any other card unless a higher trump card is played.
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Winning a Trick: The player who plays the highest card (or the highest trump card) wins the trick and collects the played cards.
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Next Trick: The winner of the last trick leads the next trick.
Scoring
At the end of the round, teams count the points of the cards they have won. The team with the most points wins the round.
Strategic Elements
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Following Suit Obligation: Players must follow the lead suit if they have one, allowing strategic plays to force opponents into tough positions.
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High-Value Cards: Aces and tens are worth the most points, making them valuable and significant for planning when to protect or play them.
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Playing with or against Trump: Depending on your hand, it can be effective to hold back trumps or play them aggressively to control the pace of the round.
Variations
There are many variations of Manille, with regional rules impacting trump selection, scoring systems, or even the number of players. It is common for family or friend groups to play with specific house rules.
As a traditional game, Manille offers a variety of adaptations and possibilities to customize it to personal preferences.
