Welcome to ZOLE!
Hey there! Are you ready for some friendly competition and strategic thinking? Gather your two closest friends, grab a deck of cards, and let’s dive into the thrilling world of ZOLE!
Don’t worry about complicated rules because ZOLE is all about simplicity and excitement. It’s a game that keeps you on the edge of your seat!
Your goal in ZOLE is simple – score as many points as you can. You can choose to go solo or team up with a partner. The question is, are you willing to share the glory of victory or claim it all for yourself? Let’s jump in and find out!
Get ready for the SETUP
Before we begin, let’s set up the game. Remove the 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, and 6s from the deck and set them aside. Don’t forget to also take out the 7s and 8s from every suit except diamonds. You should be left with a deck of 26 cards.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. In ZOLE, all the Queens, diamonds, and Jacks are super special. They are called trumps and are ranked in descending order:
Picture this: a deck of cards laid out before you. Queens, Jacks, Aces, and Kings, all in a dazzling array of clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds. It’s like a treasure trove of possibilities just waiting to be explored.
But here’s the kicker: not all cards are created equal. Amidst the chaos, there’s a hierarchy to be followed. The ace of diamonds reigns supreme, followed by the 10 of diamonds, and then the King. It’s a royal affair, and only the most regal cards will do.
But wait, there’s more. The suits of hearts, spades, and clubs have their own special rules. For these suits, the descending ranking goes like this: ace, ten, King, and finally, nine. It’s a neat little blueprint to keep in mind as you navigate the card-playing landscape.
Now that we have the cards in order, it’s time to delve into the gameplay. First, the dealer shuffles the deck, ensuring that the element of chance is ever-present. Then, the player to their right gets the honor of cutting the deck, further heightening the suspense.
After the deck has been suitably shuffled and cut, the dealer proceeds to deal four cards to each player. The cards are distributed in a clockwise manner, starting with the person to the dealer’s left. It’s a fair and systematic approach, giving everyone a shot at the game’s glory.
With the initial deal out of the way, it’s time for more action. Two cards are placed face-down on the table, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. Then, four more cards are given to each player, adding to the excitement and building anticipation.
And just like that, the stage is set. The cards have been dealt, the players are ready, and the game is about to begin. Enter a world where strategy and chance collide, where fortunes can be won or lost with a single flip of a card. It’s a thrilling adventure that awaits, and you hold the power to make it your own.
GAMEPLAY
Alright, let’s get this game started with some Bidding. Each player, starting with the person to the left of the dealer, will have a turn to decide if they want to pass or play as the solo player. The goal for the solo player is to earn sixty-one points.
Once the solo player is chosen, they get to grab the two cards from the middle and keep them a secret. They then have to pick eight cards to hold onto and discard two cards face down in the middle. The points from these cards will count towards the solo player’s score.
If nobody wants the cards in the middle and everyone passes, then it’s all about taking the fewest tricks. The game will continue going around the group in a clockwise direction.
When we start a game of cards, the first person to play is the one sitting on the left side of the dealer. Once the first trick is played, the winner of that trick gets to lead the next one. Any card can be used to start the first trick.
The player who leads the trick must choose a card of the same suit for the next player to follow. However, if they don’t have a card of the same suit, they can play any card they want.
When all three tricks have been played, it’s time to determine the winner. If no trump cards have been played, the trick is won by the card with the highest rank. But if a trump card has been played, the highest-ranking trump card wins the trick.
Once the tricks are done, we move on to scoring. Both the team and the solo player count the points they earned from their tricks. The two cards in the middle are added to the solo player’s score. Then, depending on the number of points or tricks taken, the solo player either pays or receives points from each opponent. Here’s how it works:
If you decide to go it alone, here’s how scoring works:
| Solo | Opponents | Number of points |
| All tricks | 0 | Gain 6 from opponent |
| >91 | Gain 5 from opponent | |
| 61-90 | 30-59 | Gain 4 from opponent |
| 31-60 | 60-89 | Pay 5 to opponent |
| >90 | Pay 6 to opponent | |
| 0 | All tricks | Pay 7 to opponent |
And if nobody plays any cards, then the person with the most tricks will have to pay their opponents two points.
When the game is over, the player with the most points wins. Yeah, it’s as simple as that.
But here’s the thing – you need to know how the cards rank. Let me explain.
At the end of the game, after three plays, we tally up the points. And the player with the most points takes home the win. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, right?