Kaiser (card game)
Kaiser, also known as Kaiserjass or Kaiserspiel, is a trick-taking card game primarily played in German-speaking regions, particularly Switzerland. It is a variation of the Jass family of games, sharing similarities with games like Schieberjass. Kaiser is typically played by four players in teams of two, with partners sitting opposite each other.
The game uses a standard 36-card deck consisting of the 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of each suit (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, and Clubs). The primary objective of Kaiser is to score points by winning tricks that contain certain cards.
Gameplay:
Before the game begins, partners communicate their hand to each other, often using pre-agreed-upon signals. The bidding or “calling” phase determines the trump suit and the lead player. Players bid based on the strength of their hand, aiming to secure the trump suit for their team. The player who bids the highest number of points gets to choose the trump suit.
After the trump suit is determined, the lead player initiates the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible; otherwise, they can play any card. If a trump card is played, the highest trump wins the trick. If no trump cards are played, the highest card of the led suit wins the trick. The winner of each trick leads the next trick.
Scoring:
Points are awarded for specific cards taken in tricks. The scoring system varies depending on the region and specific house rules, but generally includes points for the following cards:
- Ace: 11 points
- King: 4 points
- Queen: 3 points
- Jack: 2 points
- 10: 10 points
- 6, 7, 8, 9: Generally no points.
Additional points are awarded for winning the last trick (often called the "Match") and for declaring certain combinations of cards (melds) held in the hand before the game begins (although melds are less common in Kaiser compared to some other Jass variants). The team that reaches a predetermined score (e.g., 1000 points) first wins the game.
Variations:
Numerous variations of Kaiser exist, with differing rules regarding bidding, scoring, and the use of melds. These variations often depend on the specific region or even the particular group of players.