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Download on Google Play- 4 players use a 48-card deck (10s removed).
- Deal 12 cards to each player.
- There are no trumps.
- Player to dealer's right leads the first trick.
- Follow suit if able.
- Play low cards to duck tricks with penalties.
- Each trick taken carries penalty points.
- The Jack of Hearts (Quinola) incurs a heavy extra penalty.
- Taking all tricks and the Quinola scores a massive positive bonus instead.
Rules
Reversis is a historic trick-avoidance card game that originated in Spain and gained widespread popularity in France during the seventeenth century. Unlike most trick-taking games, the goal is to avoid winning tricks and penalty cards, making it an ancestor of modern games like Hearts.
Objective
Avoid taking tricks that contain penalty cards, especially the Jack of Hearts (called the Quinola). The player with the fewest penalty points at the end of the session wins.
Setup
- Players: 4 players.
- Deck: A 48-card deck (standard 52 minus the four 10s).
- Deal: Each player receives 12 cards.
Gameplay
- Leading: The player to the dealer's right leads the first trick.
- Following suit: Players must follow suit if able. There are no trumps in Reversis.
- Trick avoidance: Each trick taken carries penalty points. Players try to duck tricks by playing low cards.
- The Quinola: The Jack of Hearts is the most dangerous card. Capturing it incurs a heavy penalty.
Scoring
- Trick penalties: Each trick taken is worth a set number of penalty points.
- Quinola penalty: The Jack of Hearts carries a significant extra penalty.
- Reversis bonus: A player who takes all the tricks and the Quinola scores a massive positive bonus instead of penalties.
Variations
- Party Reversis: Features a pool that accumulates over multiple hands, adding a gambling element.
- Simple Reversis: Removes some complex penalty rules for a faster-paced game.
Tips and Strategies
- Void yourself in dangerous suits early by discarding high cards when you cannot follow suit.
- If you sense an opponent is trying for a Reversis (taking everything), coordinate with other players to stop them by forcing tricks upon them.
Tips & Strategy
Focus on shedding high cards from dangerous suits before you get trapped into taking tricks. Always be vigilant about who might be collecting everything for a Reversis bonus.
The tension between avoiding tricks and attempting a full sweep (Reversis) creates fascinating dilemmas. Read the table carefully before committing to either strategy.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The Quinola (Jack of Hearts) in Reversis was so feared that the word 'quinola' entered French slang to mean an unexpected disaster or penalty.
What is the name given to the Jack of Hearts in Reversis, which carries the heaviest penalty?
History & Culture
Reversis was one of the first widely popular trick-avoidance games, flourishing in French and Spanish courts during the 1600s. Its core mechanic of penalty avoidance directly influenced the creation of Hearts centuries later.
Reversis helped establish trick-avoidance as a legitimate and popular card game format. Its influence echoes through centuries of card gaming, from Hearts to modern designer card games.
Variations & House Rules
Party Reversis introduced a communal pool of stakes that built over multiple hands, giving the game an exciting gambling dimension. Simple Reversis streamlined the rules for casual play.
Adjust the Quinola penalty value to make the game more or less punishing. Some groups add a mercy rule where a player who exceeds a certain penalty total is eliminated.
