Instructions Cego

Objective of the Game

Cego is a trick-taking card game primarily played in the Baden region of Germany. The main objective is for the declarer to win a specified number of tricks against the other players, as determined at the beginning of the round.

Components

• A special deck of 54 cards, consisting of a mix of Tarock cards and German suit cards. The Tarock cards act as trumps.
• Common cards range from 2 to 10, plus Jack, Queen, King, and Ace in the suits of Eichel (Acorns), Grün (Leaves), Herz (Hearts), and Schellen (Bells).

Setup

• The deck is shuffled and evenly distributed among all players (at least three players). Depending on the number of players, a certain number of cards are placed face-up in the center (the table cards) for scoring.
• A stock, similar to the skat stock, can be formed and placed face down in the center.

Gameplay

1. Choosing the Declarer: At the start, players announce the type of game they are willing to play (e.g., solo, Cego, Bettel). The player who declares the highest caliber game becomes the declarer.

2. Card Exchange: In many variants, the declarer can draw some cards from the stock and replace them with other cards.

3. Playing Tricks: The player to the dealer's left leads the first card. Players follow, aiming to win the trick:

   • Follow Suit: Players must follow the lead suit if possible.
   • Trump Obligation: If they cannot follow suit, they may play a trump card.
   • The player who plays the highest card of the lead suit or highest trump wins the trick.

4. Scoring: At the end of the hand, the tricks are counted. The declarer must achieve the minimum number of tricks they specified at the beginning to win.

Special Features and Strategy

• Tarock Cards are permanent trumps and typically carry higher values, easily winning tricks unless overtrumped.
• Strategic Planning is crucial, especially in deciding which cards to play to block the opponents.
• Deciding which cards to leave in the stock and how to exchange cards can significantly impact the game's outcome.

End of the Game

The game continues until a predetermined number of points has been reached or a set number of rounds have been played. The player with the highest overall score or the most tricks won is the overall winner.