fourman

Fourman, also known as Four Hands or Four-Handed Bridge, is a popular card game played by four people in partnerships. It is a trick-taking game that uses a standard 52-card deck. The game is a variation of the classic card game Bridge, but it is generally considered simpler and more accessible to beginners.

Players sit around a table with partners facing each other. The goal of Fourman is to win tricks, and points are awarded for the number of tricks won by a partnership. The game involves bidding to determine the trump suit and the number of tricks the partnership aims to win. Bidding is a crucial element, as it allows partnerships to communicate their hand strength and potential trick-taking ability.

The game proceeds with players taking turns playing cards, with the highest card of the suit led, or the highest trump card, winning the trick. Unlike some other trick-taking games, there is no specific "dummy" player whose hand is exposed. Each player manages their own hand throughout the game. Scoring in Fourman is typically based on fulfilling the contract set during the bidding phase, with bonuses awarded for overtricks or penalties for failing to make the contract. The game can be played for multiple rounds, with the overall winner determined by accumulating the most points. Fourman is a game that requires strategic thinking, partnership communication, and an understanding of card probabilities.