How to Play Watten
Description
Three cards outrank everything, the trump changes every hand, and signalling your partner is part of the game rather than cheating.
Objective
Win three of the five tricks — with the help of a partner you can signal to, if the table allows it.
Setup
A 33-card deck, or a standard deck stripped to Six and above plus a Weli. Deal five cards to each player, in partnerships of two.
Before play, the dealer names the Schlag (a rank) and the opponent names the Trumpf (a suit).
Rules
Three cards outrank everything, in fixed order: the Max (Heart King), the Belli (Bell Seven), and the Spitz (Acorn Seven).
After those come the Schlag cards, then the trump suit, then everything else. Following suit is not required at most tables.
Signalling to your partner is part of the game rather than cheating — a glance, a gesture, an agreed tell. Getting caught is the risk.
Winning
The first side to take three tricks wins the hand.
Either side may raise the stakes mid-hand; the other must accept or concede immediately. Play to an agreed points target, usually 11 or 15.