How to Play Tressette: A Step-by-Step Guide
To play Tressette, deal 10 cards to each player, lead any card and win each trick with the highest card of the suit led. The order is 3, 2, Ace, King, Knight, Knave, 7, 6, 5, 4 and there are no trumps. With two players the winner draws first from the deck. Follow suit once the deck is gone, win the Aces and the last trick, and be first to 21 points.
1. Set up the game
Take the 40-card Italian deck and give each player 10 cards. Two players put the other 20 cards in the middle as the deck; four players form two teams, partners sitting opposite, and play with the whole deck dealt out.
Choose Easy, Medium or Hard on GameLake and press Deal: Tressette.
2. Play your first trick
The first player leads any card, then each player in turn plays one. The highest card of the suit led wins: a Three beats an Ace, which beats a King. A card of another suit can never win the trick.
3. Draw and keep playing
With two players, after every trick the winner draws a card first and the other player draws after, so you always hold 10 cards until the deck is gone. The winner leads the next trick.
While there are cards in the deck you may play any card, even one of a different suit. This is the time to throw away weak cards and keep your best ones.
4. Follow suit when the deck is gone
Once the deck is empty, you must follow suit: if the card led is a cup and you have a cup, you have to play one. If you have none, you may play any card. With four players there is no deck, so this rule applies from the very first trick.
5. Count the points
An Ace is 1 point; 3, 2, King, Knight and Knave are ⅓ each; the last trick is 1 point. At the end of the deal each side drops its fraction, and a deal gives out 11 points in total.
Play deal after deal until one side reaches 21 points (or 11 in a short game).
6. Playing in partners
With four players, you and your partner win and lose together. When your partner is winning a trick, you can add a card with points to it. Your points are added together at the end of the deal.
Frequently asked questions
How do you start a game of Tressette?
Deal 10 cards to each player from the 40-card Italian deck. The first player leads any card and the others follow in turn; the highest card of the suit led wins the trick.
Who leads the next trick in Tressette?
The winner of the previous trick. With two players the winner also draws first from the deck.
What happens when the deck runs out in Tressette?
You must follow suit if you can. Until then, with two players, any card is allowed.
How many players can play Tressette?
Two, or four in partners (2 against 2). There are no three-player rules on GameLake.
How long does a game of Tressette last?
A deal is over in a few minutes. A game to 21 usually takes about four deals; the short game to 11 usually takes two.