Games with 32 cards
No need for a full poker deck: these classics use only 32 cards (7 to Ace) – from brisk pub games to some of the deepest trick-taking duels in Europe.
- #1 Skat Germany's national card game – bid for the right to play alone against the other two and bring home 61 points. Germany's national game for three – bid for the right to play, pick up the skat and count every eye.
- #2 Belote France's national card game – take trumps, declare your sequences, say "belote, rebelote" and reach 1000 with your partner. France's favourite game – Jack and Nine of trumps dominate, and calling the Belote-Rebelote adds the winning spark.
- #3 Schnapsen Austria's duel for two – race to 66, announce your marriages and know when to close the stock. Austria's intense duel – just twenty cards, marriages that score 20 or 40, and closing the stock when you have 66.
- #4 Piquet The grand old game for two – swap cards from the stock, outdeclare your rival and chase the 60-point repique. The centuries-old French classic for two – discard, announce your combinations and race for the 60-point repique.
- #5 Watten From Tyrol and Bavaria – five cards, three tricks, trumps named by two players and plenty of bluffing to push the stakes up. The alpine tavern favourite – three cards, secret signals to your partner and the mighty Hauptschlag cards.
- #6 Preference (Preferans) Bid for tricks, take the widow and watch your pool grow while the mountain stays low – Russia's great game for three. Russia's intellectual trick game for three – calculate your chances, bid precise contracts and write on the pool sheet.
- #7 Mau-Mau Match suit or rank, dodge the sevens and be the first to shout "Mau-Mau!" The quick shedding classic that everyone knows – match suit or rank, skip with an 8 and draw two on a 7.
- #8 Toepen The Dutch pub game – only the last trick counts, the 10 ranks highest, and one knock on the table raises the stakes for everyone. The Netherlands' lively pub game – four tricks with no trumps, a bluffing knock on any card, and penalty points for losing.
- #9 Schwimmen (31) Swap with the middle, collect 31 in one suit and knock at the right moment – lose your last life and you have to swim. Swap cards with the table, hunt for 31 points in one suit and knock before the others catch up.
- #10 Klaberjass The two-hander where the Jack and Nine of trumps rule – take trumps if you dare, but fall short and your opponent scores everything. The classic tavern duel – Jass and Manille rule, and failing your bid gives all points to your opponent.