REUNION

Welcome to Reunion, a fascinating trick-taking game from Germany. Unlike most games, where points are earned based on the number of tricks taken, Reunion introduces a unique scoring system where points are awarded for capturing specific cards. This clever twist adds an extra layer of strategy to the game, as players must carefully consider which cards to go for.

But what sets Reunion apart even more is the fact that it can only be played by three players. This creates a dynamic and intimate gaming experience, where every decision and move weighs heavily on your chances of winning. With fewer players, each round becomes a thrilling battle of wits and skill.

So, if you’re up for a game that offers a fresh take on traditional trick-taking, Reunion is a fantastic choice. The strategic scoring system and the limited player count make it a truly unique and engaging experience. Gather your friends, dive into the world of Reunion, and enjoy the thrill of capturing those valuable cards!

Hey there! Let me tell you a cool little secret about German trick-taking games. In these games, something special happens to the trump suit jacks. They transform into these awesome cards called bowers. The jack of the trump suit becomes the most valued card in the entire hand, and it’s known as the right bower. Meanwhile, the jack of the same color as the trump suit becomes the second most valuable card, and it’s called the left bower.

Now, here’s a fun fact. In German, “bower” is actually spelled “bauer,” which means farmer. Pretty interesting, right? It’s all about the idea that a simple farmer can rise above the fancy royals in feudal Germany. They loved incorporating this idea into their games!

THE CARDS & THE DEAL

When we play Reunion, we use a special deck of 32 cards that goes from 7 to Ace. Before we start, we all pick a card from the deck. The person with the highest card gets to be the dealer, while the one with the lowest card keeps score.

The dealer shuffles the deck and gives each player ten cards. They should be dealt in groups of three, four, and then three. After dealing, there will be two cards left over.

Let’s Find Out the Trump Suit

Now we take those two leftover cards and flip the top one over. Whatever suit that card is becomes the trump suit for this round. The dealer gets to add those two cards to their own hand and then discard two cards from their hand. But they cannot discard any aces, bowers, or more than one 10.

Okay, now the cards are ready, we know the trump suit, and the dealer has gotten rid of their two cards. It’s time to start the game!

THE PLAY

Let’s start by talking about how the game is played. First, it’s important to understand that the player to the left of the dealer goes first. They get to choose any card from their hand and play it in the middle of the table. Simple enough, right?

But it doesn’t stop there. The other players take turns, going around the table. Each player has to pick a card from their hand and play it. Now here’s the catch: they have to follow suit if they can. That means if someone plays a card from the diamond suit, for example, you have to play a diamond card too, if you have one. But what if you don’t have any diamond cards? Well, in that case, you have to play a trump card, if you have one. If you don’t have a trump card either, you can play any other card you want.

All the cards that are played to the center of the table form what we call a “trick.” Sounds mysterious, doesn’t it?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. The player who plays the highest card in the suit that was originally led, or the highest trump card, gets to take the trick. That means they collect all the cards in the trick. And here’s the best part: the player who takes the trick gets to lead the next one. Pretty cool, huh?

This goes on until all the tricks have been taken. Once everyone has played all their cards and the tricks have been claimed, it’s time to add up the score. Exciting, isn’t it?

Once the round ends and all the scores are recorded, the cards are gathered and handed over to the next dealer, who happens to be the player sitting on the left side of the previous dealer. It’s a straightforward and orderly process that ensures everyone gets a turn to deal.

Reunion is a game that spans over three rounds, and in each round, every player takes a turn being the dealer. This way, everyone gets a chance to be in charge and experience the thrill.

SCORING

In Reunion, there’s a total of 150 points up for grabs in each round. At the end of the game, the player with the highest overall score emerges as the winner, having proven their skill and strategy.

Points
Right & Left Bower	12 points each
Aces	11 points each
K	4 points each
Q	3 points each
Other Jacks	2 points each
10’s	10 points each
Last Trick	10 points
9, 7, & 8’s	0 points