User:Bermicourt/Card games/Eichelobern

Eichelobern is an Austrian, trick-avoidance, card game for 4 players in which the the aim is to avoid taking the first and last tricks and the Ober of Acorns, known as the Eichelober. It is also known as Schinderhansen - the nickname of a notorious German highwayman - and is similar to the German games of Grasobern and Slobberhannes.

Background
Eichelobern is mainly played in the states of Salzburg, Tyrol and Upper Austria. Its alternative name, Schinderhansen is the name of a notorious German thief of medieval times.

Rules
The game is usually played by 4 players The aim is to avoid winning the first or last tricks and to avoid capturing the Ober of Acorns (Eichelober). In the Double German cards used in Austria for this game, William Tell is depicted on this card.

Cards
Eichelobern is normally played with 32 cards from a William Tell pack, the sixes being removed. Cards rank in their natural order: Sow (A) > King > Ober > Unter > 10 > 9 > 8 > 7.

Playing
Dealer shuffles and offers to rearhand to cut, then deals 8 cards, in 2 packets of 4, to each player. Forehand leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit (Farbzwang). The highest card of the led suit wins the trick.

Scoring
One penalty point is scored, or one stake paid out, in each case, for winning the first trick, last trick or capturing the Eichelober. If a player takes all three, they score 4 penalty points or pay out 4 stakes.