Instructions Grasobern

Objective of the Game

Grasobern is a traditional Bavarian card game, where the goal is to collect as many points as possible through tricks. Players try to win high-value cards, particularly the namesake "Grasober" card.

Number of Players

The game is typically played with 3 to 4 players.

Cards

A Bavarian Schafkopf card deck is used, consisting of 32 cards: Ace, King, Ober, Unter, 10, 9, 8, and 7 in the four suits of Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Bells.

Game Flow

1. Dealing: Each player receives 8 cards in a game with 4 players (with 3 players, each receives 10 cards, and two cards are left face-down).

2. First Player: The player to the left of the dealer starts the first trick.

3. Playing a Card: Players play a card in turn. There's a requirement to follow suit, meaning the first player determines the suit of the trick by playing a card of that suit, and other players must, if possible, play a card of the same suit.

4. Trump: The Grasober card (Green Ober) is the highest trump, followed by other trump cards, which are decided by agreement before the game. In some variations, all Ober and Unter cards are also trumps.

5. Winning Tricks: The player with the highest card in the leading suit or the highest trump wins the trick and collects the cards.

6. End of the Game: The game ends after a predetermined number of rounds or when all cards have been played. Points are counted based on Schafkopf card values (Ace = 11, 10 = 10, King = 4, Ober = 3, Unter = 2, other cards = 0).

Strategies and Tips

• Counting Cards: Keep track of which cards have been played to anticipate the remaining cards. It’s crucial to remember played trump cards.
• Use of Trump Cards: Use your high trump cards strategically when the trick is likely to be beneficial.
• Sacrifice: Sometimes it's advantageous to play a low card to draw high cards from opponents, which can be beaten later.

Conclusion

Grasobern is an engaging and enjoyable game that requires tactics and card counting, with the fun deriving from balancing the risk of playing high cards and the reward of cleverly won tricks.