Zwanzig-Rufen

 

 

Not Zwanziger-Rufen? Well, it is true that in all but one reference that I have found to the game, it is called Zwanziger-Rufen. However, years ago, when I mentioned the game to my German housemate Dagmar, her eyes widened with disapproval and she said “but there is NO such word!” So, for purely personal reasons, this is Zwanzig-Rufen.

 

My thanks goes to Nora Falk for telling me the origin of the term Zwanziger-rufen. In Vienna, if you wanted a 20 schilling note, you would have asked for a “Zwanz’ger”  and so we have Zwanzgerrufen. She also informs me that when people want end play, the last round of dealing would begin with the player who has been dealt the Fool.

 

This four player game is not complicated and makes another fine introduction to the family, it is good fun and a good introduction to the family of Rufer games – that is, calling for a partner. It is unusual in that it is uses just 40 cards. I must admit that for a long time I had thought little of it until I recently played it again with some friends which left me feeling that I had underestimated it due to its simplicity. Don’t make the same mistake.

 

Michael Dummett states that the order of play is clockwise, however, I have seen an Austrian internet source that states it to be counter-clockwise. I’ll leave it to you to decide but if only for continuity, I stick to counter-clockwise. There are heaps of variations on this game, so once more, I’ve chosen those that seemed to play best to me.

 

 

Cards

 

This is usually played with a French suited pack with The II and III of trumps and all but one of the pips removed in each suit and using irrational ranking.

 

There are 20 trumps numbered I, IV-XXI with the highest trump, the Fool, un-numbered.

 

Swords & Batons / Spades & Clubs

K, Q, C, V, 10

 

Cups & Coins / Hearts & Diamonds

K, Q, C, V, 1

 

Honours  5 points

Kings   5 points

Queens   4 points

Cavaliers  3 points

Valets   2 points

Other trumps  1 point

Aces & 10s  0 points

 

 

 

The cards are counted individually, totalling 88 points. Declarer’s side must make 45 points or more to win the hand.

 

 

Deal

 

First Dealer is chosen at random, deal then moves to the right after each hand. There is no stock, so each player is dealt two packets of 5 cards.

 

 

Announcements

 

There are only two announcements and these are made along with a player’s bid. If outbid by another player, the announcement becomes void. The Pagat may be announced without a bid under a special condition explained under the bid Rufer.

 

Pagat Ultimo: Player contracts to win the last trick with the Pagat. Scores 4

 

Slam: Player contracts to win every trick. Scores 12

 

Both of these can be won by any player unannounced but will only score half.

 

 

Bidding

 

Beginning with Eldest, each player has the chance to bid to be Declarer or to pass. However, players may only make the lowest possible bid open to them and Eldest is obliged to make a bid.

 

Call: This is only bid open to Eldest. It is bid by calling the highest trump below XXI that the bidder doesn’t have. The holder of that card will be partner for the game though they cannot announce themselves except by announcing a Pagat Ultimo. Scores 1 point.

 

No Trumps: Declarer must play alone but trumps lose their ability to ‘trump’, and become an ordinary suit. However, the rules of play do not change and they must be played if a player cannot follow suit. Obviously, the Pagat Ultimo cannot be announced with No Trumps. Scores 2 points.

 

Solo: Declarer plays alone. Scores 4 points.

 

During and after bidding, any player may call “contra” to any bid or announcement to double its score. Any other player may then call “re-contra” to double again, and then reply “sub-contra” to double once more.

 

 

Bonuses

 

There are two bonuses for having certain cards in your hand, these are not declared but are claimed after the hand has been played.

 

If a No Trumps is being played, then a player may score 1 bonus point for having had all four Kings.

If any other bid is played, then a player may score 1 bonus point for having had all three honours.

 

 

Scoring

 

Bonuses are paid by each of the other players. If a game is won then the defenders each pay Declarer’s side, if lost, then Declarer’s side pays each of the defenders. Announcements, if won are paid by each of the defenders, if lost, then to each of the defenders.