Signalization
The Fédération Française de Tarot has developed a system of conventional leads that lets partners communicate the value and number of the cards in hand. An outline of the system follows.
At the outset (indicated by 1 card)
- In a suit:
- A card from Ace to 5 signals that the player holds a major honor (King-Queen).
- A card higher than the 5 signals that the player does not hold such an honor.
- In trumps:
- An odd trump signals possession of at least 7 trumps, and requests that partner play trumps.
- An even trump played at the beginning of part announces possession of fewer than 7 trumps.
With the Supply (indicated by 2 cards)
- Suit played by the attacker:
- Order going down: behaviour 5th in the suit invites to play trump (attention not to have the Petit in hand).
- The Excuse on starts attacker with the first or with the second turn promises the behaviour
- Suit played by defense:
- Two cards of the same suit played in descending order signal that the player held a doubleton in this suit. The player's partner is implicitly expected to continue playing this suit so that the player can overtrump.
When a player indicates the strength of his or her hand by playing a king or an odd trump, it imposes a line of play to which the partners are duty bound to adhere.
- Excuse at the first round of trumps: Player demands an end to trumps.
Read more about this topic: French Tarot
Related Phrases
Related Words