User:RhoOphuichi/sandbox

Pitch
Origin	North America
Alternative names	High-Low-Jack, Setback, Action Pitch, Bid Pitch
Type	Trick-taking
Players	2+ (4-6 typical)
Cards	Varies. 52 in basic play.
Deck	Anglo-American
Rank (high→low)	A (high) to 2 (low)
Play	Clockwise
Related games
	Smear, All-Fours, Euchre

Content taken from Wikipedia article Pitch (card game).

Pitch (also known as Setback) is a card game played with a standard 52-card deck. It is a popular variation of All fours (also known as High-Low Jack) which may be played by three to seven players. Pitch involves bidding and trick-taking, and may include betting or gambling. There are many variations of Pitch. Most variations use slightly different scoring systems, allow teams, or make other changes. Variants seem to develop regionally, and their merits are hotly contested by players. The many possibilities mean that a player can find a balance of strategy and difficulty that appeals to their own play style.

Basic Gameplay

The Bid

Basic pitch may be played with 2-7 players, but is best with 4-5. In basic pitch, there is no team play. Each player is receives six cards, traditionally dealt three at a time. Beginning with the player to the dealer's left and proceeding clockwise, players may bid 2-4 points for the privilege of declaring the trump suit for the hand. A player must either pass (refuse to bid) or bid more than any previous player has bid. If no bid is made, the eldest hand (the player to the dealer's left) must bid the minimum amount. The player who wins the bid (often called the pitcher) must make as many points as he or she bid, or is "set back."

Play

The highest bidder plays first. The first card played indicates the trump suit. If the wrong card is accidentally played, that suit becomes trump regardless of the players intention. Each player in turn plays a trump if possible, and the highest trump played wins the trick. The winner of the first trick has first play in the second, etc., until all cards are played.

After the first trick, players may lead cards of any suit; each other player must "follow suit" (play a card of the lead suit) if possible. A trump may be played at any time, at the player's option ("trumping in"). If a player has cards of the proper suit, or chooses not to play trump, any card may be played.

The highest card of the lead suit wins each trick, unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump played wins.

Scoring

Many variants of pitch use different scoring systems, but the basics remain the same. Possible points in basic pitch are:

High: The highest trump in play. 1 point to the person who played it.
Low: The lowest trump in play. 1 point to the person who played it.
Jack: Jack of trumps. 1 point to the player "capturing" it - winning the trick in which it was played. If the Jack of trumps is not in play, this point is not awarded.
Game: 1 point for the player whose "captured" cards total the highest number of points. In basic pitch, tens count 10 each; aces, 4 each; kings 3 each; queens 2 each; and jacks 1 each. The highest point total of captured cards wins the Game point. In a tie, no point is awarded.

Players may receive points even if they did not win the bid.

A player is "set" when, after winning the bid, that player is unable to make points equal to their bid. The player is then "set back" (loses) points equal to their bid. Negative scores are possible.

The game is won when any player reaches 11 points. In the event that two players reach the goal at the same time, the player who won the bid wins.

Variant Rules

Most variation in Pitch centers around a multitude of scoring systems. While many different points are possible in pitch, no variant offers the ability to earn every type of point. Instead, most variants use a selection of the points listed below.

High: 1 point: Awarded to the person dealt the highest trump in play.
Low: 1 point: Awarded to the person dealt the lowest trump in play.
Jack: 1 point: The point is awarded to the player "capturing" the Jack of trumps - winning the trick in which it was played. If the Jack of trumps is not in play, this point is not awarded.
Off-Jack: 1 point: The jack matching the color of the jack of trumps. Scored as the Jack. The Off-Jack counts as a trump and ranks just below the Jack. Also called the Jick.
Big Joker: 1 point. Joker with colored or large picture. Scored as a Jack, and ranks just below the the Off-Jack in capturing power. Counts as a trump. Jokers are not counted for the "Game" point.
Little Joker: 1 point. Joker with uncolored or small picture. Works exactly like the Big Joker, but ranks just below it.
Last Trick: 1 point. Earned by winning the last trick of the hand.
Game: 1 point for the player whose captured cards total the highest number of points. In basic pitch, tens count 10 each; aces, 4 each; kings 3 each; queens 2 each; and jacks 1 each. The highest point total of captured cards wins the Game point. In a tie, no point is awarded.
Some variants have Odd Trumps. Five of trumps might be worth 5 points, for instance; in another variant, Off-Three is worth 3, while Three of trumps is worth nothing. Generally, Off- trumps rank just below their trump counterpart. Scoring of odd- and off- trumps is wildly varied, but it is common to award points equal to the face-value of the card.

Team Play

While basic pitch has no team play ("cutthroat" pitch) most variations of the game allow team play. Most commonly, pitch is played with two or three teams of 2 players. Teams may be chosen at random or by prior agreement. Scoring works as in basic pitch, but by team; to avoid being set back, the team's total points must equal or exceed the highest bid made my a member of that team.

Betting

Betting is usually by game, rather than by hand. Players must typically bet a set amount before each game, and any player who is set must bet that amount again. The player or team who wins the game wins the whole pot.

Cards Dealt

In most variations of Pitch, all players are dealt six cards initially.

In some variations, nine cards are dealt to each player. After bids are made, the winner declares trump suit and each player discards all non-trumps. If a player has more than six trumps, they must discard to a six card hand. The dealer deals to each player as necessary so that each has six cards, the dealer skipping the making player. Finally, the making player may search the deck, choosing cards to bring their hand to six. In some variations, the making player's partner is also given an opportunity to search the deck.

Winning Score

The score required to win varies considerably. 11 points is a typical goal, though some variations require as many as 100 or more. A formula that sometimes used to determine the goal is: (points available)*(number of players) + 1.

Miscellaneous Options

House Hands: After all cards are dealt if a player has no point cards (that is, hands which could contribute toward the Game point), the player may lay his cards face down, forfeit his chance to bid, and be dealt a new hand.

Bid to go Out: Also called Bidder Goes Out, in this variant a player can only win the game if they reach the goal on a hand for which they made the winning bid. In some variants, a team can win if they reach the goal during a hand in which they set the bidder.

Smaller Deck: When playing with only three people, or to make the game easier (and some would argue more fun), cards may be removed from the deck. Usually un-scored cards such as 7s, 8s, or 9s are removed. Removing twelve cards leaves plenty for four players, making it probable, but not certain, that all points will be in play.

When playing with 8 players, it is common to remove four cards (typically the 3s). This means that no cards are left in the deck after the deal.

The Smudge Bid: Some variations allow a special bid. If a player or team believes they can make every possible point, they may bid "smudge." In basic pitch, a smudge bid is a 5 point bid. In some variants, making smudge grants additional points. To make a smudge bid, a player or team must make all possible points and win every trick and capture the jack of trumps. The bid must be made before the hand is played or the extra point is not awarded.

Backdoor Win: Reaching the negative equivalent of the goal wins in some versions of Pitch. For example, when the goal is 11 points, a score of -11 or lower would win the game. Some variants instead allow a backdoor win for a team with extremely low points: with a goal of 100 points, -200 might win.

Bid Stealing: This common variant allows the dealer (or sometimes the player with the eldest hand) to win the trump by making the highest possible bid, even if another player has already made that bid. In some versions the dealer may "steal" the bid by matching the highest bid offered by another player.

Call For Partner: Many varieties of pitch incorporate this rule. There are no set teams; instead, the player who wins the bid calls for a specific card, and the player who has it becomes their partner until the next bid. The "called" card is the first played, and sets the trump. Points are kept individually, though they are earned as a team.

Off-Suit Trumps: Some variants allow specific cards to act as trumps, if they match the color of the trump suit. For instance, some varieties allow the "Off-Three" to act as a trump. Typically off-suit trumps rank just below their corresponding trump.

The Force Bid: Many variations require that the dealer make the minimum bid if no other bids have been made. When this rule is not used, the hand is re-dealt when all players pass.

Capture Low: In some variants, the low trump wins the trick in which it is played. This is used only in variants where the 2 of trumps is certain to be played.

Shoot the Moon: A player may Shoot the Moon, bidding the maximum amount. If the player or team makes the bid, they win the game; if are set, they lose the game.

Blind Pitch: In this variation, each player is dealt a "blind" of three cards in addition to their hand. Players may not look at the cards in their blind. Cards are typically removed from the deck to ensure that all points are in play. During play, a player must follow suit, trump in, or play the top card of their blind. Only if none of these options are available may they play an off-suit card from their hand.

Specific Variants

High-Low-Jack

High-Low is probably the most popular variant of pitch. It is also called Setback and Six-Point Pitch. This variant is usually played with teams; cards are not exchanged once trump has been declared. Instead of the traditional four points, six are available: High, Low, Jack, Game, and both Jokers. In some variations, 10s do not count toward the Game point.

Ten-Point

Oklahoma Ten-Point Each player is dealt six cards. Bids are usually from 1-9, and the Shoot the Moon rule is in effect. After bidding, players discard non-trumps and the the dealer distributes cards so that each hand has 6 cards. Points available are High, Low, Jack, Off-Jack, Big Joker, Little Joker, Three (and sometimes Off-Three) and Game. King and Queen are not counted toward the Game point.

This variant allows players to bid a "straight" hand (like normal) or to double bid. For example, a player may bid a "straight 6", or "6 for 12." In the latter example, the player would score 12 points by earning six; or, failing to earn points equal to his or her bid, would be set 12 points.

Razzle-Dazzle Played like Oklahoma Ten-Point with a few variations. After the bid, the maker takes the deck, declares the trump, and discards down to six cards. All other players must discard non-trumps, but do not receive additional cards. This variant always incorporates the Call for partner rule.

Wilkes-Barre Ten-Point Also known as ster-don. Eight cards are dealt to each player. Points available are High, Low, Jack, Game, Five Trump, & Last Trick. In this variation, the Low point is made by capturing the lowest trump (rather than simply playing it, as is usual). After trump is declared, players discard trumps and are re-dealt to an eight card hand. First card played does not have to be trump. The Forced Bid rule is in effect.

Nines-Fives

Nines-Fives pitch is another variant of pitch, played with two teams of two people each. The 5 of trump is worth five points and the 9 of trump is worth nine points. The rank of the suits is not changed.

Nine cards are dealt to each player. After the initial dealing, bidding begins with the player to the dealer's left. Players bid on the number of points that they will take, and can either pass, bid from 4-18, "smudge", or "blind smudge". A "smudge" bid is worth 19 points in this variant. A "blind smudge" bid must be made before the player looks at his or her hand. It is worth 20 points. The dealer can steal the bid in this variation.

The winning bidder declares the trump suit, and each player discards any non-trump cards. If a player has more than six trumps, he or she must discard down to six cards. Next, the dealer will deal each player back up to six total cards. Finally, the dealer brings his or her own hand to six cards, and is allowed to look at remaining cards when doing so. If too few trump cards remain, the dealer may take any card he or she chooses. This discard process ensures that all trump cards are in play.

Game play is normal with the 2 winning conditions: the first team to win a bid that brings them above 100 points or if a team reaches -100 points the other team is declared winner. (A variant to the scoring is that if a team reaches -200 points it is considered a "backdoor" and the game is a draw.)

Cell Pitch

Also known as Kentucky Seven-Point. There are seven possible points: High, Low, Jack, Off-Jack, Big Joker, Little Joker, and Game. Bids between 3 and 7 are allowed. The game is played to 21. The dealer distributes 6 cards to each player (generally one at a time). The highest bidder calls the bid, and players discard non-trump cards face up in the center of the table. The dealer then deals to every player so that each person has 6 cards.

Maryland Jack

This variant allows High, Low, Jack, and Off-Jack points. Bids are from 2-4. If the bid-winning player earns points equal to their bid (no higher), they receive one extra point. Non-making players earn points only if the making player is set. Finally, players must follow suit in this variant - trumping in is allowed only if a player has no on-suit cards.

Reverse Pitch

Reverse Pitch follows all of the rules of basic Pitch, except the low card takes each trick (the lowest card of the suit lead or lowest card of the trump suit). High, low, jack, and game points are scored in the normal fashion. In this variation, valuable cards become much harder to capture; the strength of the card itself is almost always insufficient.

High Five

High Five is a very rare Swiss variation of pitch played with two teams of two. This variant uses 9-card hands. Points used are High, Low, Jack, Off-Jack, Big Joker, Little Joker, Ten, Five, and Off-Five. Five and Off-Five are each worth 5 points. Bids are from 6 to 17, the Shoot the Moon variant is used. After bids are made, each player discards all non-trumps (or to a six-card hand). The dealer restores each hand to six cards, skipping the making player. Finally, the making player may search the deck, choosing cards to bring their hand to six.

Two-Trump

Two-Trump Pitch is a variation of which incorporates all 54 cards. It may be played with any combination of 4-8 players. Nine points are possible: High, Low, Jack, Sub-Jack (see below), Big Joker, Little Joker, & Game. Bids 3 (or 4) to 9 are allowed. Games are played to 31 points. In this variation, the player who wins the bid declares both trump and sub-trump suits. Sub-trump cards rank above non-trumps but below trumps. Sub-Jack ranks normally within its suit, not below the main Jack as is typical. Players follow suit as in other variations; sub-trumps do not count as trumps for this purpose. Sub-trumps may be used to "trump in," on non-trump leads, however. Jokers are unranked and cannot be used to capture other cards. When leading a Joker it is considered to be suit-less, and the second play of the trick determines the lead suit. Jokers may only be played as a lead or when a player has no trump or sub-trump cards remaining.

Partnership Draw Pitch

In this variant, also called New Yorker Pitch, points available are: High, Low, Jack, and Game. Bids 2-4 are allowed, and the Forced bid and Shoot the Moon rules are used. After bidding, the trump is declared; next players may discard any non-trumps they choose. The dealer distributes cards so that each player has six. Play proceeds as normal, 15 points wins.

Strategy

A player should try to determine what points his hand will allow him or her to win, and bid accordingly. The rule of thumb is to add one point to a bid when you have a partner.

Typical strategy is to "draw out" valuable cards from other players. Since pitch rules require that players follow suit, it is possible to force the play of Jacks and Jokers, allowing their capture. If the bid-winning player cannot be sure he or she has the highest trump, lower trumps may initially be led to draw them out; the hope is that by the second or third trick only Jacks and Jokers will remain in other players' hands - they can then be captured.

In all varieties of pitch, the goal is to set the player or team who wins the bid. In practice, this might mean giving an opponent a point card just to deny it to the bidder. This also means "sloughing game" (cards with a point value) to a single player so that the bidder will not win the Game point.

External links

References

Foster, Robert Frederick; Curtis, David A.; Barney, Walter H. (1922) [1897]. Foster, Robert Frederick (ed.). The Official Rules of Card Games. Hoyle Up-To-Date (26 ed.). Cincinnati: United States Playing Card Company. pp. 148–150. Retrieved May 17, 2009. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |lastauthoramp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)