Double Hasenpfeffer

This game is played in the same manner as Single Hasenpfeffer except for the following:

1. Four or six players, in two partnerships.
2. A 48-card Pinochle deck is used, ranking as in Partnership Euchre, with no joker. Each player is dealt four cards at a time, until the whole deck is distributed.
3. In bidding, the lowest bid is 6. If the bidder thinks he can win all the tricks, he may, after naming the trump suit, discard two cards and ask his partner (or partners, if any) for his two best; thereafter he plays alone.
4. If the game is four-handed, his side scores 24 if he wins, but is set 12 if he fails. In six-handed, his side scores 16 if he wins, or is set 8. If all pass without a bid, the dealer must bid 6 and play the hand. Each trick counts 1, except in lone hands, which count double; and 62 makes the game.

Variation. The game may also be played by two to six players as individuals. In a five- poker hand game the three nines are removed from the deck and each player is dealt nine cards.

RAMS

This easily learned, lively game is today comparatively little- played but deserves to be better known.
Requirements

1. Three to six players, each scoring for himself. If six play, dealer does not take a hand.
2. A 32-card deck is used, made up by stripping out all cards below the seven from a standard 52-card deck.
3. The cards rank: ace (high), king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight, seven (low). Some old-time players, however, rank the ace below the jack.

Beginning of the Game. The selection of the dealer, seating positions, changing seats, shuffle, and cut are as provided under the General Rules for Card Games, chapter 1.
The Deal. After the shuffle and the cut, dealer gives each player a hand of five cards, beginning with the player at the left and going in clockwise rotation. He deals two cards to each for the first round and then three, or first three and then two. He deals an extra hand, or widow, to the table just before dealing cards to himself. The next card, after the deal, is turned up and its suit is trump.
Object of the Game. To win as many as possible of the five tricks to be played for.
The Play. The player to the left of the dealer has three choices: he may (1) play with his original hand; (2) discard his hand face down on the table and take the widow; or (3) pass. Actually, any player may discard his hand for the widow, as long as no other preceding player has done so. In fact, each player in turn must decide to play; or exchange for the widow, if this has not been done; or pass. The hands of those who have passed must not be discarded until every player has said whether he will play or pass. Of course hands, once discarded, should not be examined thereafter. If all have passed except the player to the dealer’s right, he must play with the dealer. If all but one have passed, the dealer must play with him. If two or more declare to play, the dealer may play or pass, as he chooses. The dealer is allowed to discard one card and take the turned trump into his hand in its place. Each player who plays must take at least one trick, or forfeit five chips to the next pot.
Any player may declare a general rams. He then has the lead, and must win all five tricks. Each other player must play in a general a rams, even if he has already passed. Except when a general rams is announced, the active player to the left of the dealer leads a card of a any suit he wishes. Each player in turn must follow suit, and must playa higher card than the one led if he can. If he cannot win or head the trick, he may play a card of the suit led. If he cannot follow suit, he must trump (or overtrump, if trumps have already been played). Even though he cannot overtrump, he must still play trump if he can. If he can neither follow suit nor trump, he may discard. The highest card played of the suit led wins, unless the trick is trumped; in which case the highest trump wins. The winner of 19 the first trick leads to the second, and so until to the hand is played out.
Scoring. Each dealer in his turn contributes five chips to the pot. As previously stated, any player who does not pass and who fails to le take a trick puts five counters in the next pot. At the end of each hand, each player takes as one-fifth of the pot for each trick he has taken. A pot containing only the dealer’s five chips is called a simple pot, and all players must play. If it contains more than the five chips, it is called a double pot, and players can pass or play poker. If a player declaring general rams takes all five tricks, he takes the pot, and each other player pays him five chips. If he fails, he must pay each player five chips, and double the pot.

Bierspiel

This variant of Rams, also called Beer Play, is played like the parent game except for the following:

1. The seven of diamonds is always the second highest trump, regardless of which suit is trump. If the seven of diamonds should be the one turned up for trump, another card is dealt from the stack and the card beneath it determines the trump suit and dealer may use both cards, discarding two others in their place. If dealer passes, the first active player at his left may exchange for the trump and the seven of diamonds.
2. Players must not look at their hands until the dealer has turned up the trump card.
3. If there are four or more active players in the play, the first three leads must be in trump; for three active players there must be two initial trump leads; for two active players only the opening lead must be in trump.
4. If a leader to a trick in which a trump lead is required holds no-trump, he may play any card but place it on the table face down. The other players, however, must play trumps.
5. Each player begins with 15 points. For each texas holdem trick he takes he cancels 1 point. The first to cancel all his points is declared the winner. Penalties are added to a player’s score.

Rounce

This game is played the same as Rams, except for the following:

1. A standard 52-card deck is used and the cards rank ace (high), king, queen, jack, ten, down to two (low).
2. The widow is dealt six cards, one of which is discarded by the player taking the widow.
3. A play is not required to win a trick, and he need not trump a trick if he chooses not to. But, the winner of the first trick must lead trumps for the second trick. Thereafter, any suit may be led. There is no general rams