Basics

In trick-taking games, players play in turns, typically clockwise, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. On each turn, a player plays a single card. Once each player has played a card, the round ends. The round (also called "hand" or "trick") is won by one of the players according to a set of rules. That player then gains the ability to lead (or start) the next round with a card of their choice. This is referred to as "control".

Winning a trick

The default rule for winning a trick is that whoever plays the highest card of the same suit as the first card played wins the trick. In most trick-taking games, a "trump" suit is defined. This suit is predetermined before play begins, and is so called because cards of this suit can trump other cards. If a trump suit is defined, and a card of the trump suit is played, the highest card of the trump suit wins the trick.