Klaberjass

How to play Klaberjass

Klaberjass, also called Klob, Clob, Clabber or Bela, is a two-player trick-taking game with a 32-card pack: Seven through Ace in each suit. You play against the computer. Each player receives six cards, in batches of three, and the next card is turned face up to propose a trump suit. The non-dealer acts first.

In the first bidding round, take the turn-up suit as trump, pass, or offer a schmeiss. If both players pass, a second round lets each player name another suit or pass. Two more passes throw the hand in and move the deal to the other player. The player who makes trump is the maker.

Schmeiss and the dix

A schmeiss offers to throw the hand in. If the other player agrees, the cards are redealt. If they refuse, the player who offered the schmeiss must play the turn-up suit as trump.

Once trump is made, each player receives three more cards, bringing each hand to nine. The bottom card is shown to both players. If the turn-up suit is trump and either player holds its Seven, that player may swap the Seven, called the dix, for the turn-up card before play begins.

Trump power and card points

Trump ranks, strongest first: Jack, Nine, Ace, Ten, King, Queen, Eight, Seven. The Jack, called the Jass, is worth 20 points; the Nine, or Menel, is worth 14. The Ace is worth 11, Ten 10, King 4 and Queen 3. The Eight and Seven score zero.

Other suits rank Ace, Ten, King, Queen, Jack, Nine, Eight, Seven. Their point values are 11, 10, 4, 3, 2, 0, 0 and 0. A low trump still beats every card of a plain suit.

Sequences, bella and the last trick

Sequences use the natural order Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven. A run of three cards in one suit scores 20; a run of four or more scores 50. Only the player with the best sequence scores, and that player receives points for all their sequences. Compare value first, then the highest card, then trump over a plain suit. An exact tie scores neither player.

Holding the King and Queen of trump is bella, worth 20 points when you play the second of those two cards. The final trick is worth an extra 10 points.

Playing tricks and scoring

The non-dealer leads first. Follow suit whenever you can. If trump is led, you must play a higher trump when you hold one. When you cannot follow suit, you must trump if possible. The higher trump wins; otherwise the higher card of the suit led wins. The trick winner leads next. Select a card, then choose Play, or tap the selected card again. Legal cards are highlighted.

After nine tricks, add card points, sequences, bella and the last-trick bonus. The maker must outscore the defender. If successful, both players keep their own totals. If the maker ties or scores less, the maker goes bete: the defender receives both totals and the maker scores nothing.

Winning and getting started

The target is 500 points. If both players reach 500 in the same hand, the higher total wins; a tied score continues into another hand. The hand summary explains card points, sequences, bella and any bete. Choose Next Hand to continue, or Rematch after the game finishes.

The opening explanation introduces bidding and scoring. Full rules remain in How to Play. Settings controls sound, player name and avatar, card faces, card backs and table backgrounds. Portrait and landscape layouts support rotation during a hand. This web version offers play against the computer.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Jack always the strongest card?

Only in trump. The trump Jack beats the Nine, which beats the Ace. In a plain suit the Ace and Ten lead the order.

Can I discard instead of trumping?

Only when you have neither the suit led nor a trump. Following suit comes first; trumping is mandatory when you cannot follow.

Does the maker win with a tied hand?

No. The maker must score strictly more than the defender. A tie awards both totals to the defender.