Tsoukka

Tsoukka is a Greek card game, typically played with a standard 52-card deck. It is a shedding-type game, meaning the objective is to be the first player to get rid of all of their cards. The game involves bluffing and strategic card play, and is popular in social settings.

The number of players can vary, usually ranging from 3 to 8 participants. A designated dealer distributes all the cards face down to the players. The first player to lead is often determined randomly, or by a predetermined rule (e.g., the player to the dealer's left).

The first player plays a card or a set of cards of the same rank, face down, announcing the rank. Subsequent players must play a higher quantity of cards of the same rank (according to the announced rank) or pass. Players may bluff, claiming to play a certain rank when they are actually playing something else. If a player suspects a bluff, they can call "Tsoukka!" If the previous player was indeed bluffing, they must pick up the entire pile. If they were telling the truth, the player who called "Tsoukka!" must pick up the pile. The player who successfully plays all their cards wins the game.

Variations in rules and scoring exist depending on the region or group playing. Some common variations include rules regarding specific card ranks (e.g., aces being high or low) or the addition of special card combinations with unique effects. The name "Tsoukka" itself may have regional variations or alternative spellings.