Tarot (game) - Signalization

Signalization

The Fédération Française de Tarot has developed a system of conventional leads that lets partners communicate the value and number of the cards in hand. An outline of the system follows.

At the outset (indicated by 1 card)

• In a suit:

A card from Ace to 5 signals that the player holds a major honor (King-Queen).

A card higher than the 5 signals that the player does not hold such an honor.

• In trumps:

An odd trump signals possession of at least 7 trumps, and requests that partner play trumps.

An even trump played at the beginning of part announces possession of fewer than 7 trumps.

With the Supply (indicated by 2 cards)

• Suit played by the attacker:

Order going down: behaviour 5th in the suit invites to play trump (attention not to have the Petit in hand).

The Excuse on starts attacker with the first or with the second turn promises the behaviour

• Suit played by defense:

Two cards of the same suit played in descending order signal that the player held a doubleton in this suit. The player's partner is implicitly expected to continue playing this suit so that the player can overtrump.

When a player indicates the strength of his or her hand by playing a king or an odd trump, it imposes a line of play to which the partners are duty bound to adhere.

Excuse at the first round of trumps: Player demands an end to trumps.