The Essentials of Passing Left

 The game features a phase where players pass three cards to the left. This phase allowed players to modify their opening hand to an extent to accommodate any strategy and tactics that he or she might use. However, using such a phase to its fullest potential seems to evade many players as common sense usually dictates that one must pass the high ranking cards or penalty cards in order to increase their chances of winning. However, this effectively limits a player’s options and results in a rigid playing style easily countered by experienced players.

Winning at Hartenjagen absolutely has nothing to do with who has the fewest aces, kings, queens, jacks, tens, and heart cards, though it helps to have less, winning has more to do with one’s wit. When you receive your opening and the game progresses into the passing to the left phase, take time to look at your hand and think about how you can go about playing the hand.

The first golden rule is, when passing left, always remember to thin out your hand of cards suits. In fact, though it is a bit risky and should only be attempted when one knows exactly what he or she is doing, if passing relatively low ranking card allows you to get rid of two suits then do it. In Hartenjagen, it is always more advantageous to be able to drop any suit one desires, as a result of having no cards of the same suit as the opening card, in any time of the game. 

The second golden rule is, when given the opportunity always pass the queen of spades. It is a known fact that the queen of spades is the most dreaded card in Hartenjagen. Not only is it worth a lot of penalty points but also it is also very difficult to dispatch. Having one in your hand considerably lessens one’s chances of winning but the same is true for your opponents as well.

The third golden rule is, to always keep a straight face when passing relatively low ranking cards. As said before, common sense dictates players pass the three highest-ranking cards to the left, and passing three relatively low ranking cards will surely confuse your opponents. However, if one doesn’t keep up appearances opponents will surely wise up that you’re up to something and become more cautious. Remember, winning at Hartenjagen involves using one’s wit and catching opponents off guard.