RULES OF CARD GAME THOUSAND
BASIC RULES
The game is
for 3 players using a pack of 24 cards in which cards 2-8 have been removed. Game
is won by the player whose score first reaches or passes a total of 1000.
The cards rank in descending order: Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9. Rules stipulate
the deal alternating. Players score points either by taking cards in tricks or
by declaring marriages that they hold after a trick is won (marriage is king and
queen of the same suit). A player can declare marriage by leading in the king or the
queen of this marriage any time except playing the first trick. 7 cards are dealt.
The remaining cards form the talon. The talon gets a winner in competition for the
right to play first trick as leader. It is important because the game begins withaut
a trump. Declared marriage establishes trump. The leader's opponent must follow suit
if able. If the suit cannot be followed, then it is obligatory to trump. Having none
of the trump-cards either, you can play as you please. The decisive moment of the
game comes when any player scores 880 points. He has 3 chances to score 120 points
more and to win finaly. If he cannot to do it, he loses 120 points. The cause for
such a result can be one more rule of the game. Player cannot order the obligatory
number of game points more then 120 points during the competition for the right to
play 1-st trick as leader, having no marriage among dealed 7 cards in the begining
of the game. Using this feature of the game opponents may not let him win (see
detailed description below).
SCORRING
Players score points either by taking cards in tricks
or by declaring marriages that they hold after a trick is
won. Cards are worth in points: ACE -11; TEN - 10;
KING - 4; QUEEN - 3; JACK - 2 points; NINE - no points.
Marriages score: SPADES - 40 points; CLUBS - 60 points;
DIAMONDS - 80 points; HEARTS - 100 points.
A player can declare marriage by leading in the king
or the queen of this marriage any time except playing the
first trick. The trump may be changed by declaring of another marriage.
The announcer scores points for this marriage. A player has to take into
account, that perspective of the game can take a turn for the wors after
a declaration of unsuitable marriage by the other players. On this
reason players try to build their own game in such a way,
that opponents lose a possibility to declare a marriage.
The winner in the competition for the right to play
1-st trick as leader must score declared number of points.
Otherwise that number subtractes from previously scored
points. His opponents try to score as many points as possible. It is
important to score at least 2 points. When a
player scores 0 points on three hand, he loses 120 points.
TO PLAY FIRST TRICK AS LEADER
Rules of competition
for the right to play first trick
as leader the following : the player to dealer's left has
to score 100 points even he dislike to take such obligation.
If 2 another players don't dropped at once, he is dispensed
from this obligation. Next opponent of the dealer can drop
or rise the competition price to 105 points.Then the dealer
can drop or rise the current price on 5 points. These competition ( trade )
continues till two players drop. Then the
winner gets 3 cards from talone. He gives one card to each
opponent. So each player has 8 cards in hand. Leader may rise the price higher.
It is doubtfull choice to declare too low price. The player scores only
declared number of points.
For example if someone has 212 points for cards in tricks
and declarations, but declared only 145 points, he scores
145 points. There are some features of the screen. The blue star
points on the dealer. There is panel with 3 numbers near
cards of each player. 1: previously scored points. Using
this datas, players correct their own tactics. 2: 100
near cards of the player to dealer's left ( 120 in case he
scored 880 points). Another numbers or word 'DROP' appear
on this place during the trade in accordance with their choice. It is the
current prices of players. Third number appears after first trick was played.
It is current points. Brown barrel may be shown instead the price of
the 'trade', if the player has scored 880 points.
TACTICS, TRICS, EXAMPLES
All examles are from real hands of computer card game
CARDPARADE.
Kirk has 3 aces. It's good luck in this game. He has also 3 diamonds. There is
a hope that among 3 additional cards are more diamonds. In this case he may win
all diamonds. There are 3 halfs of marriages. He may collect though 1 marriage
if additional cards will belong to him. Probability is enough high. So it's
absolutely purposeful to take a part in the 'trade'.
Cards are good. Kirk has 4 aces (44 points) and marriage of heart (100 points).
There's no point to part from aces almost always. Kirk will hold hearts without
doubts. Jack of diamonds may win a trick, if one of opponents has 2 diamonds on
hand and other has 1 diamond (for example 10 9 and Q). So should Kirk give
queen of spades and king of clubs? But it's a risk. Some of
opponents may collect either marriage of clubs or marriage of spades. If this
opponent will catch lead from Kirk ,when Kirk will lead in king of diamond
or in king of heart, he will announce own marriage and suit of marriage will the
new trump.
