Objective of the Game
The objective of Mauscheln is to accrue a certain number of points (usually 66) by winning tricks and declaring point values.
Game Materials
- A deck of 20 cards: 5 ranks (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten) in four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs).
Game Setup
- Each player receives five cards.
- The remaining cards are placed face down, and one card is laid face up to establish the trump suit for the entire game.
Gameplay
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Leading: The player to the left of the dealer plays the first card.
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Following Suit: Other players must follow the suit of the card led, if possible. If they cannot, they may play a trump card or any other card.
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Winning Tricks: A trick is won by the player who played the highest card of the led suit or the highest trump card. The winner of a trick leads the next card.
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Scoring Points: Players score points for the value of the cards won in tricks and can make announcements to reach 66 points or more.
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Declaring Endgame: A player can declare the end of the game (Schlussstich) if they believe they can win with their current point total.
Scoring Values
- Ace = 11 points
- Ten = 10 points
- King = 4 points
- Queen = 3 points
- Jack = 2 points
The game ends when a player reaches or exceeds the required number of points through announcements or trick-winning.
Strategic Considerations
- Use Trump Cards Wisely: Since trump cards have the power to win tricks, they should be used strategically.
- Track Tricks: Keep track of points won and try to anticipate the remaining cards of the opponents.
- Make Accurate Announcements: Secure your win by making exact announcements and surprising trick wins.
Mauscheln is an engaging card game that relies not only on luck, but largely on the strategic and tactical understanding of the players, offering exciting challenges and rewarding smart decisions.
