THE PLAY

Only sequences are melded, and for melding the cards rank in the order from Ace (high) to 7 (low). A three-card sequence counts 20 points, a four-card or longer one 50 points.

The non-dealer begins by announcing the value of his best sequence. If his best sequence is of three cards he says ‘Twenty’; if of fourth or more cards he says ‘Fifty’. If the dealer has a better sequence he says ‘No good’; if he lacks a better sequence he says ‘Good’; if he has an equal sequence he asks ‘How high?’ The non-dealer then announces the top card of his sequence.

The dealer then says whether it is good, no good, or if he has a sequence headed by an equal card. In this last event neither player scores unless one of the sequences is in the trump suit, which wins over a sequence in a plain suit.

The non-dealer leads to the first trick; thereafter the winner of a trick leads to the next. A player must follow suit if he can, and if he cannot he must play a trump if he hold one. If a trump is led, the second player must win the trick if he can.

After the first trick has been played, the player with the highest meld shows it and scores for all sequences in his hand. His opponent cannot score for any sequences that he may hold.

A player who holds the King and Queen of the trump suit may score 20 points so long as he announces ‘Bella’ immediately after he has played the second of them to a trick. If a player holds the Jack of the trump suit, as well as the King and Queen, he may score for the sequence as well as for bella.

When all the cards have been played, each player examines his tricks and scores points for winning in his tricks:

If the maker’s total, including melds and card won, is higher than the opponent’s, each scores all the points he has won. If the totals of the two poker players are equal, the opponent scores the points hse has won, the makers nothing.

If the opponent’s total is higher than the maker’s, the two totals are added together and the opponent scores them. The player who first reaches 500 points wins the game.

KLABERJASS FOR FOUR PLAYERS

The game is played in partnership two playing against two. Eight cards are dealt to each player, and the dealer turns up his last card for trumps.

Each player in turn, beginning with the player on the left of the dealer, may either take-it or pass. There is no schmeiss. If all four players pass, there is a second round of bidding during which each player in turn has a right to name of the trump suit. If all four players pass the second round of bidding there is a fresh deal.

The player who names the trump suit becomes the maker, and his side must score more than the opposing side.

The player on the left of the dealer leads to the first trick.