Rosbiratschka is a trick-taking, compendium, card game for three or four players that is played with a German-suited pack of 32 or 24 cards.
Origin | Germany |
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Type | Compendium game |
Players | 3 or 4 |
Age range | 12+ |
Cards | 32 |
Deck | German pack |
Rank (high→low) | A K O U 10 9 8 7 |
Play | Clockwise |
Playing time | 30 minutes |
Related games | |
Barbu • Herzeln • Kein Stich • Lorum • Quodlibet | |
6 deals x 1 round = 6 games |
Despite the name, Rosbiratscka is a game of German origin for three to four players that is known in different regions under different names. It is easy to learn and suitable as a parlour game i.e. with friends and family.[1]
The following rules for four players are based on Altenburger.[1]
A full game involves a partie of six different contracts and the aim is to score as few penalty points as possible.
A 32-card pack is used with German suits i.e. Acorns, Leaves, Hearts and Bells. The ranking of the cards in each suit is Sow (~Ace), King, Ober, Unter, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven. Each player is dealt 8 cards (2-3-3). The player to the left of the dealer (forehand) leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit (Farbzwang) and the highest card wins the trick. there are no trumps. If suit cannot be followed, a player may discard a card of his choice. Six individual contracts are played:
For three players, remove all Sevens and Eights from a 32-card pack and deal eight cards to each player; score 2 minus points for the Ace and King of Hearts in deal 2. For five players remove the Six of Bells and deal seven each. Score 2 minus points for the last trick in deal 1. For six players use a 36-card pack and deal six to each player; score 2 minus points for the first and last tricks in deal 1.