What Is a Trick in Card Games?
Many of the world's favourite card games, from Kerala's 28 to Spades, are "trick-taking" games. Here's what that means.
A trick
A trick is one round of play in which each player puts down one card. With four players, a trick has four cards.
Leading and following
One player leads (plays the first card). The others must follow suit, playing a card of the same suit, if they can.
Who wins the trick?
The highest card of the suit led wins, unless someone played a trump, in which case the highest trump wins. The winner collects the cards and leads the next trick.
What tricks are worth
- Count tricks: Call Break, Spades, Court Piece.
- Count points in tricks: 28, 29, 304, 56, Thuruppu 40.
- Avoid tricks: Hearts.
- Count special cards: Mendikot (tens).
All of these are free on Cheettukali: start with Call Break or 29.
FAQ
What does 'follow suit' mean?
Play a card of the same suit as the first card of the trick, if you have one.