Partita

 

 

This four handed game is played in fixed partnerships seated opposite one another. It is a little unusual in having a large number of permitted signals, as well as adopting a convention from the Bolognese tradition. It also employs a very old method of scoring.

 

 

Cards

 

The game uses a reduced pack of 54 cards with irrational ranking, traditionally Piedmontese cards, so your pack will consist of:

 

The Fool, I-XXI of trumps, and then in the suits:

 

Spades & Clubs / Swords & Batons

King, Queen, Cavalier, Valet, 10, 9, 8, 7

 

Hearts & Diamonds / Cups & Coins

King, Queen, Cavalier, Valet, 1, 2, 3, 4

 

 

Pagat & Angel  4

Kings   4

Queens   3

Cavaliers  2

Valets   1

 

 

 

 

 

As with other Italian games, the Angel is the highest trump and honour. An interesting quirk is that, like the old Bolognese cards, the II, III, IV, and V of trumps (the Female Pope, Empress, Emperor, and Pope) are all of equal rank. If more than one is played to the same trick, then the last to be played is considered to outrank the previous card.

 

 

Deal

 

First dealer is chosen at random and then moves to the right after each hand. A game consists of four hands and the first dealer of the next game is the partner of the player who dealt the last hand of the previous game. Each player receives 13 cards with the Dealer taking the last two and then discarding two cards that will count towards Dealer’s side’s tricks. Kings and Honours may not be discarded, trumps may only be discarded if there is no option and then they must be exposed to the other players.

 

 

Play

 

Dealer leads to the first trick, playing any card in his/her hand to the middle of the table. Each player in turn, moving to the right, must then play a card of the same suit (follow suit). If a player cannot follow suit, then they must play a trump, if they cannot play a trump, then they can play any card, though it will not win. If no trumps have been played, then the highest card of the suit led wins the trick and that player takes the cards and puts them into his/her trick pile. Otherwise, the highest trump played wins the trick.

 

The Fool may be played to any trick as an excuse for not playing a card you are otherwise obliged to play, but may be neither won nor lost – it is retained by the side that played it. Unlike other games, if the opposing side won the trick, no card is given in exchange.

 

 

Scores

 

The Fool is scored separately for 5 points. The other cards are counted in pairs with 1 point added for every pair. An odd empty card will count for 1 point. This makes 80 points in the game. Each side makes a positive or negative score for each point taken over or below 40 for each hand. At the end of a game, the scores for the four hands are totalled and a fixed stake won by the winning team.

 

 

Signals

 

There are a number of signals that players may use to communicate information to their partner. Although these vary regionally and there is no restriction on your developing your own, they must be recognized by all playing, they must be made clearly so that opponents can read them as well, they must be clarified if an opponent requests it, and they must be true. These are the signals listed by Dummett and McLeod from one village in Asti (with a couple of tiny changes).

 

 

Leading to a trick:

 

Drag the edge of the card from your left to right before placing it on the trick.

“I am playing this from a long suit.”

 

Raise the card before lowering it on the trick in an arc.

“I have all but one of the remaining cards in this suit”

 

 

Leading with the intention for your partner to trump:

 

Move the card out to your right and then onto the trick in an arc.

“Play the lowest trump required to win the trick (without accounting for the fourth player)”

 

Drag the edge of the card towards yourself before placing it on the trick.

“Do not play a high trump”

 

Tap the table with all fingers.

“Do not play the highest trump you have”

 

 

Playing a card of any suit (including trumps):

 

Tap the table with the card’s edge.

“I only have one more of this suit”

 

Move one hand vertically downward in a sharp motion.

“When you next lead, do so from a different suit than the one you last led”

 

 

Playing a trump:

 

Shake the card.

“This is my last trump”

 

‘Tremble’ the card.

“My Pagat is at risk”

 

 

After playing a trump, or your last card in a regular suit:

 

Knock the table with your fist.

“I hold the highest remaining trump”

 

Knock the table twice with your fist.

“I hold the two highest remaining trumps”

 

Make a circle in the air with a finger.

“I have the World (XXI)”

 

Raise one hand vertically in a sharp motion.

“I have the XIX (Sun)”

 

Tap the table with your middle finger.

“I have the XVIII (Moon)”

 

You may verbally announce having any of the XV, XVI, and XVII.

 

 

When playing from a regular suit:

 

Tap the table with your thumb.

“I am now void in this suit”

 

Knock the table with your fist.

“I have the highest remaining card in this suit”

 

Make a circle in the air with a finger.

“I have the Queen”

 

 

When following suit to another’s lead:

 

Drag the edge of the card towards yourself.

“Do not lead this suit”

 

 

Just before you partner leads to a trick:

 

Tap the table and say either:

Piccolo – meaning “lead with a small trump”

Or

Grande – meaning “lead with a large trump”

 

 

At any time you may:

 

Mimic writing on the table with your finger.

“give me some information”