User:Rnclukeyjr/sandbox

Regional game, Northwest Connecticut
Nine-Five; Regional game of Northwest Connecticut

This variation of “Set Back” is also referred to as "Nine-Five" and seems to be a popular game in taverns and clubs in the North-West part of Connecticut. The game is similar in some ways to the better known game of “Set Back or Pitch” in that it is a trump and trick taking game. The major difference is, the player to the left of the winning bidder throws or leads the first card and is not required to lead trump. The game seems to be primarily a four-player game, however a 6-player variation exists, both using the partner format. All players are dealt six cards, the player to the left of the dealer bids first; a minimum bid of 9 is forced if a player holds any 9 and one or more cards of the same suit. Bidding will go one time around with a maximum bid of 18, in auction style. If all players pass, the cards are shown face up to prove the lack of a forced bid, and the deal is passed to the left. The winning bidder will announce the trump suit; players will then discard unwanted cards face up into the "scrap pile" The dealer then deals the draw cards to bring each player back to six cards. Note: Discarded "Trump" cards will be returned to the person that discarded that card. If that person cannot be identified the card will default to the dealer and prevents a dump of point cards, i.e. 9 & 5, (intentional dumping is cheating!). The scoring is exactly the same as traditional "Nines and Fives" see below. The game is won by the first team that scores 100 or more. This somewhat obscure variation of “Setback” forces the non bidding team to "Block" or "Post" a higher trump than the 9 to prevent the bidder from "running' the 9 on the first trick and then forcing the bidder to play in between his opponents.  This is a strategic game has many facets to the strategy in any particular hand.  Posting and blocking for points is essential in this game.  Pay special attention to the number of cards drawn by each player, this helps in formulating the strategy of each hand.

Point Scoring

Trump High = 1

Trump Jack = 1

Game Points = 1

Trump Low = 1

Nine = 9

Five = 5