Klaverjassen Find Out More About A Famous Dutch Card Game

Oct 23
19:05

2010

Jan Kaas

Jan Kaas

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Klaverjas or Klaverjassen is a trick-taking card game very popular in its country of origin, the Netherlands. The game has a rich background and a history that spans for more than a hundred years.

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History

Klaverjassen as it is known today is a rather recent creation. The first versions of the game,Klaverjassen  Find Out More About A Famous Dutch Card Game Articles even though they relied heavily on the core rules which are still used today, were lacking many game play elements. Though it is impossible to ascertain with accuracy when Klaverjas was invented and by whom, it is widely believed that the game dates back at least to the 1890s.

In time not only game play changes were introduced, but also numerous variants of the game appeared in Europe and in many other parts of the world.

Besides the Netherlands, the game remains popular to this day in many other countries, including Hungary, Switzerland, or France. It is worth noting that each culture introduced its own additions to it; every version of Klaverjassen has its own unique flavor.

Main Aspects    

Although the many variants of the game accommodate up to six players, it is widely considered that Klaverjassen is best enjoyed when played in four.

In four, the game puts in opposition two teams, each consisting of two players. Klaverjas is played with 32 cards, usually from the Anglo-American packet. Cards are dealt 4-4 from left to right.

The ranking of the cards tends to be the same for most variants. The order in the plain suit is Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, 7 while for the trump suit is Jack, 9, Ace, 10, King, Queen, 8, 7.

One of the unique characteristics of Klaverjas is that it manages to be complex while still remaining easy to learn. The game play is often regarded as thrilling. 

Present

The game is great to play when you hang out with your friends, either at home or in a café. Because it is so accessible, it can be learned in just a couple of minutes. People of all ages can enjoy it, from children to grandparents. 

Nowadays the game is still popular in many European countries, though its classical format, with real cards, is slowly losing ground to computer versions. The latter enables you to play either against computer-controlled opponents or against real people. Some applications even allow other people with Internet access to join your game.

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