| Players | Cards per player | Dog |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 24 | 6 |
| 4 | 18 | 6 |
| 5 | 15 | 3 |
At four and five players, cards are dealt in packets of three. At three players, packets of four are used. The card values and targets for the number of oudlers remain the same.
Four players: the standard format
The taker plays alone against three defenders. The taker receives or pays three times the unit score; each defender receives or pays one unit in the opposite direction.
Three players
Everyone has 24 cards, and the taker faces two defenders. The taker receives or pays twice the unit score, while each defender receives or pays one unit in the opposite direction.
Five players: a called partner
Before the dog is turned over, the taker calls a King. Whoever holds that King becomes the taker’s secret partner; the partnership is revealed when the called card is played. If the taker holds all four Kings, a Queen may be called. If the called card is in the dog, the taker plays alone.
With a partner, the taker receives or pays two units, the partner one, and each of the three defenders one in the opposite direction. If the taker plays alone (“King in hand”), the taker receives or pays four units.
More on the five-player game →