Quartett

This family of card games is enormously popular in Europe. Fundamentally, it is a set collection game in the manner of Game of Authors (America) and Happy Families (Britain).

May be played by three or more players. Shuffle well and deal equally among the players who must examine their cards; if a player holds any complete fours, lay these on the table.

The player on the right of the dealer asks any player if he holds a card needed to complete a set of four. The enquiring player must always have at least one of the set in their hand before asking. If the player asked holds the card in question, he must surrender it. The player who was succesful may continue to ask the one who has surrendered a card for a further card. The moment that player cannot supply the wanted card, he becomes the one to ask any player for a card.

If a completed Four is obtained, the succesful player should lay it on the table and that set is now safe. This continues round the table until all the sets are laid down and the player has tabled the largest number of four, wins.

The type of questions asked will enable an attentive player to know whom to ask for a wanted card to complete a four. A pool of counters or pennies formed at the start pays an agreed bonus to the player with the most fours. A stipulated fine may be paid to the player who is misinformed about a card.