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Download on Google Play- 4 players, 32 cards.
- Deal 8 cards each.
- No trumps.
- Follow suit if possible.
- Highest card of led suit wins.
- Avoid taking tricks with Jacks.
- Jack of Spades = 2 points, other Jacks = 1 point.
- Capture all 4 Jacks (capot): opponents score 5 each.
Rules
Polignac is a French trick-avoidance game where players try to avoid winning tricks containing Jacks. The Jack of Spades (Polignac) is the most dangerous card, worth the most penalty points.
Objective
Avoid capturing Jacks in tricks. The player with the fewest penalty points wins.
Setup
- Players: 4 players.
- Deck: 32 cards (7 through Ace of each suit).
- Deal: Deal all 8 cards to each player.
Gameplay
- Step 1: The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick.
- Step 2: Players must follow suit if possible. The highest card of the led suit wins the trick.
- Step 3: There are no trumps. The game is purely about avoiding Jacks.
- Step 4: Play continues for 8 tricks until all cards are played.
Scoring
- Jack of Spades (Polignac) = 2 penalty points.
- Each other Jack = 1 penalty point.
- A player who captures all four Jacks (capot) scores 0 and each opponent scores 5.
Variations
- Quatre Valets: All four Jacks carry equal penalty (1 point each), removing the Polignac distinction.
- Slobberhannes: A related game where the first trick, last trick, and Queen of Clubs are also penalized.
Tips and Strategies
- Void yourself in a suit to dump Jacks on others' winning tricks.
- Lead low cards to force opponents to win tricks that may contain Jacks.
- Track which Jacks have been played to know when it is safe to win tricks.
Tips & Strategy
Create voids to dump Jacks onto opponents' tricks. Keeping track of which Jacks have been played is essential for risk management.
The capot (capturing all four Jacks) is a bold gambit that reverses all penalties. Only attempt it with a very strong hand.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The game is named after Prince Jules de Polignac, a controversial French politician whose unpopularity made his name synonymous with something to avoid.
Which Jack is worth the most penalty points in Polignac, and what is it named after?
History & Culture
Polignac has been played in France since at least the 19th century and is a precursor to the broader family of trick-avoidance games.
Polignac is a classic French card game that contributed to the development of trick-avoidance games across Europe.
Variations & House Rules
Quatre Valets equalizes all Jacks at 1 point. Slobberhannes adds penalties for the first trick, last trick, and Queen of Clubs.
Add the Slobberhannes penalties for more complexity. Play multiple rounds with cumulative scoring to a target.
