kvoterna

Kvoterna is a traditional Swedish card game that is popular in the region of Småland. The game is typically played by four players, divided into two teams of two. It is a trick-taking game, meaning that the objective is to win tricks, or rounds, by playing the highest card of the same suit led by the first player.

The deck used in Kvoterna consists of 32 cards, with ranks from Ace (high) to Six (low) in each of the four suits: hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. The game begins with each player being dealt seven cards, and the remaining cards are placed face down as a draw pile. The top card of the draw pile is turned face up to start the discard pile.

The game starts with the player to the dealer's left leading a card. The other players must follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play a card from any other suit. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the winner of the trick leads the next one. The objective is to win tricks and accumulate points based on the cards captured.

Kvoterna features a unique scoring system. Points are awarded for specific cards captured in tricks: Aces are worth 11 points, Kings 10, Queens 9, Jacks 8, Tens 7, Nines 6, Eights 5, Sevens 4, Sixes 3, and the remaining cards are worth 2 points each. The team that reaches a predetermined number of points, typically 200, wins the game.

The game also includes a special feature called "kvot," which is a bonus point system. If a team wins all seven tricks in a round, they score a kvot, worth an additional 10 points. This adds a strategic element to the game, as players must balance the risk of going for the kvot against the potential reward.

Kvoterna is a social and strategic game that has been enjoyed by generations of Swedes, particularly in the Småland region. Its blend of traditional card-playing mechanics and unique scoring elements makes it a distinctive and engaging pastime.