Trischettn or Treschetten is an historical card gamefrom the South Tyrol for two players. The game is clearly an Austrian variant of Tresette, the major differences being that it is played with a 32-card, German-suited pack rather than a 40-card Italian pack, resulting in a different card ranking, the Tens and Nines becoming the highest rankers in each suit. It also features points for declaring certain combinations such as four Nines. The game is played for 31 points. It used to be one of the three most common card games in South Tyrol, along with Stichwatten and Labbieten, but is threatened with extinction today.
Overview
Having been one of the three most common card games in South Tyrol, together with Stichwatten and Labbieten, Trischettn is nowadays under threat of dying out. Nevertheless there are moves to revive it by teaching Trischettn alongside other traditional South Tyrolean card games. It is closely related to the Italian game of Tresette, albeit played with different packs and a different card ranking, treschetten being South Tyrolese for 'playing tresette'.
Cards
Trischettn is played with 32 cards from a Salzburg pattern pack, the Sixes being removed. If an ItalianSalzburg pack is used, the Fives are also removed. There are no trumps. Cards rank and score as follows: Points are scored by collecting the face cards – the Kings, Obers and Unters – as well as the Tens and Nines; each of which scores one third of a point. An Ace scores one full point. Fractional scores are rounded down. Thus there are 10 points in a pack; with the point for the last trick that makes a total of 11 points available, excluding declarations.
Playing
Eight cards are dealt to each player and the rest are placed face down as a talon. Players must follow suit and a trick is won by the higher card of the led suit. If a player cannot follow suit he may discard any card. The winner of a trick draws another card from the talon. The opponent then does likewise, before the trick winner leads to the next trick. Once the talon is exhausted, players continue to play tricks from their hands. A variant rule is that players must reveal their drawn cards each time.
Declarations
During the game, players may also score bonus points for declaring certain card combinations in their hand as follows:
Three Tens, Nines or Aces: 3 points
Four Tens, Nines or Aces: 4 points
Nappele or Napoli of Hearts, Bells, Leaves or Acorns: 3 points
Players may use cards in more than one declaration e.g. a player may announce three Tens for 3 points and, later, four Tens for an additional point. Declarations may only be made after a player has taken one trick and is 'on lead' to the next trick.
Scoring
Once the last trick has been decided, players tot up their card points and any points won for declarations or taking the last trick. Any fractions are ignored, hence there are 11 points per deal, excluding any bonuses. Game is usually 31 points; occasionally 41 points. Sometimes the first two games are played for 31 and, if a decider is needed, the 3rd game is played for 41. Sometimes games are played for 31, except the last game of the evening which is played to 41.
