Kohinaisilla

Kohinaisilla, also known as "old maids" in English, is a traditional Finnish card game that is typically played by two to four players. The game is particularly popular among older generations and is often associated with social gatherings and family events. It is a trick-taking game, meaning that the objective is to win tricks, or rounds, by playing higher-ranking cards than the opposing players.

The game is played with a standard 52-card deck, and the ranking of the cards is similar to that of other trick-taking games, with the ace being the highest and the two being the lowest. The game begins with each player being dealt a certain number of cards, depending on the number of players. The remaining cards are placed face down in the center of the table to form a draw pile.

The player to the dealer's left starts the first trick by playing any card from their hand. The other players then take turns playing a card of the same suit if they have one. If a player does not have a card of the same suit, they may play any card from their hand. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the player who won the trick leads the next one.

One of the unique features of kohinaisilla is the concept of "marriage," which occurs when a player holds both the king and queen of the same suit. This can be declared during the game and earns the player additional points. The game continues until all the cards have been played, and the player with the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner.

Kohinaisilla is a game that requires both strategy and luck. Players must carefully consider which cards to play and when to declare a marriage to maximize their points. The game's simple rules and social nature make it a beloved pastime in Finnish culture.