Misère

Misère refers to a variation of trick-taking card games where the objective is to avoid taking any tricks, or to take as few tricks as possible, rather than the standard goal of taking the most tricks. This "losing" objective is the defining characteristic of misère play. The exact rules and scoring for misère can vary significantly depending on the specific game being played.

In many games that offer a misère option, such as Euchre or Bridge, players can choose to play in a misère contract. This often involves a different scoring system or a special set of conditions that must be met to win. For example, in some versions of Bridge, a misère contract might require a player to take no tricks at all. Failure to achieve this can result in a penalty.

The strategic considerations in misère play are distinct from standard trick-taking games. Players must focus on shedding high cards, avoiding leading into situations where they might be forced to take a trick, and carefully counting cards to anticipate opponents' holdings. The game becomes a delicate balance of defense and control, aiming to pass tricks to others. Misère adds a layer of complexity and challenge to familiar card games, requiring a different mindset and a sharp tactical approach.