Kanonájáts

Kanonájáts is a traditional Hungarian card game played with a 36-card deck, typically derived from a Piquet or French-suited deck. The game is primarily a trick-taking game for two players. The objective is to score points by winning tricks and by forming specific combinations of cards in hand, known as melds.

The deck consists of cards from 6 to Ace in each of the four suits. The ranking of the cards in ascending order is usually 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace. However, within the context of the game, specific trump suits can alter the ranking, and certain melds require specific card sequences.

Gameplay involves dealing a set number of cards to each player, with the remaining cards forming a stock. Players then bid for the right to declare trump and play their hand. Bidding typically involves a series of increasing offers to take the contract. Once a trump suit is determined, players take turns playing a single card to a trick, with the highest card of the suit led, or the highest trump, winning the trick. Players aim to capture tricks containing valuable cards and to form melds for additional points.

Scoring in Kanonájáts is based on the points awarded for captured tricks and for melds. Melds can include sets of three or four cards of the same rank, or sequences of cards in the same suit. The game is played to a predetermined point total, with the first player to reach this total declared the winner. The game emphasizes strategic card play, careful bidding, and skillful melding.