Piquet is
widely regarded and variously documented as "the best game
ever devised", "the aristocrat of card games for two" and "one
of the best and most skillful card games for two players".
Piquet is a game of exchanging cards, declaring points,
sequences and sets, and then playing off the cards as tricks.
What you exchange will affect what you can declare, and what
you declare will provide insight to the cards you hold and
therefore affect how your opponent plays to the tricks. Points
are accumulated for both declarations and tricks - so a
carefully balanced strategy is the key to winning.
A Partie (or game) is comprised of six rounds, three dealt by
each player alternately. The non-dealer exchanges one or more
cards with those that remain undealt, then the dealer
exchanges up to as many as are left. If any cards remain
untaken after the exchanges, the dealer may elect that they be
displayed face-up for both players to see.
The declaration phase starts with the non-dealer declaring
their point - i.e, the longest suit. The player with the
better point wins the point declaration. Then sequences (runs
of consecutive cards of the same suit) are declared, and
finally sets (cards of the same face value). If a player wins
a sequence or set declaration, they may declare any other
sequences or sets that they hold.
After the declarations are complete, the cards are played as
tricks with points awarded for leading and for capturing the
lead.
Piquet is an excellent game for developing general card
playing skills because it includes declaring, melding and
trick playing, the three basic elements that are found in most
card games. Also, the ability to remember which cards have
been seen and the ability to deduce what the opponent holds
are key factors to winning. |
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