How to play Piquet

Objective

Outscore the opponent through point, sequence, set, and trick-play combinations.

Setup

1. 1

   Use ranks 7 through ace. Deal 12 cards each and leave eight as the talon.

2. 2

   The nondealer is elder hand.

How play works

1. 1

   Elder may exchange up to five cards; dealer then exchanges from what remains.

2. 2

   Compare point, sequence, and set declarations in order.

3. 3

   Elder leads. Follow suit if able; there is no trump.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   Score valid declarations, leading or winning tricks, and bonuses for cards or capot.

2. 2

   Traditional matches are played over several deals to a cumulative total.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   Piquet vocabulary and scoring reward careful reference use.

2. 2

   Aces are high and tens rank between jack and nine.