Klaverjas
Soldiers Playing Cards by Pieter de Hooch
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| Origin | Netherlands |
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| Type | Trick-taking |
| Players | 4 |
| Cards | 32 |
| Deck | French |
| Play | Clockwise |
| Card rank (highest to lowest) | A 10 K Q J 9 8 7 J 9 A 10 K Q 8 7 (trump suit) |
| Related games | |
| Klaberjass, Belote, Jass | |
Klaverjas (Dutch: [ˈklaːvərjɑs]) or Klaverjassen (Dutch: [ˈklaːvərjɑsən]) is the Dutch name for a four player trick-taking card game using the piquet deck of playing cards. It is closely related to the card game klaberjass, which is popular internationally and also known as Bela, and various other names. It is one of the most popular card games in the Netherlands, traditionally played in cafes and social clubs. The game offers a considerable level of complexity and depth. It has numerous variants, but the core rules are basically the same.
The name dates to 1890–95 from the Dutch word klaverjas, combining klaver (the suit of clubs, literally "clover") plus jas, the original name for the highest trump card. According to Scarne, its origin has been variously claimed by the Dutch, Swiss, French, and Hungarians.
The game is played clockwise by four players in two teams, partners sitting opposite as in whist. It uses a piquet deck, i.e. a set of 32 cards in the four French suits: Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 7–10. All cards are dealt to the players, in batches of 3–2–3 or 4–4.
Starting with the elder hand, the first player prepared to do so chooses a trump suit and thereby becomes obliged to win the deal. Various versions handle the special case when all players pass differently.
As in most trick-taking games, players must follow suit if they can, and the highest trump in the trick, or in the absence of trumps the highest card in the suit of the first card, takes the trick. But there are additional restrictions on the cards that may be played. There are two variants; both agree that following a trump lead all players must head the trick if they can.
Rotterdam rules: A player who cannot follow suit must trump if possible. A player who plays a trump must head the trick if possible, even if the player's partner currently heads the trick.
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Wikipedia