Écarté

Écarté is a classic French trick-taking card game for 2 players, popular in 19th-century Europe.

Setup

• Deck: 32 cards (7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in each suit)
• Card Rank: K > Q > J > A > 10 > 9 > 8 > 7 (Ace is low)
• Deal: 5 cards to each player
• Trump: The 11th card is turned face-up to determine the trump suit
• Goal: First player to reach 5 points wins

Exchange Phase

The non-dealer (elder) speaks first:

• Propose: Ask to exchange cards. The dealer may accept or refuse.
• Play: Skip the exchange and begin trick play immediately.

If the dealer accepts, both players discard unwanted cards and draw replacements from the stock. The elder exchanges first, then the dealer. The elder may then propose again.

If either player stops the exchange (elder plays without proposing, or dealer refuses), that player becomes vulnerable.

King of Trump

• If the face-up trump card is a King, the dealer scores 1 point automatically.
• Before the first trick, either player holding the King of trump may declare it for 1 point.

Trick Play

The elder leads the first trick. Players must:

1. Follow suit if possible
2. Head (play a higher card of the led suit) if possible
3. Trump if unable to follow suit
4. Play any card only if unable to follow suit or trump

The higher card of the led suit wins, unless trumped. The trick winner leads the next trick.

Scoring

Result	Points
Majority (3–4 tricks)	1
Vole (all 5 tricks)	2
Majority vs. vulnerable opponent	2

The first player to reach 5 points wins the game.