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Download on Google Play- Deal 13 cards to each of 4 players.
- Form two partnerships.
- Bid to determine the trump suit.
- Follow suit or play trump per standard trick-taking rules.
- Win tricks to collect cards for melding.
- After 13 tricks, form rummy melds from collected cards.
- Points for each trick won.
- Bonus points for melds (sets and runs) formed from collected cards.
Rules
Sviten Special is an unusual Swedish game that combines trick-taking with rummy-style melding in the same hand. Players simultaneously try to win tricks and form melds, making it a uniquely challenging hybrid.
Objective
Score points by both winning valuable tricks and forming rummy-style melds from the cards you collect during play.
Setup
- Players: 4 players (in fixed partnerships of 2).
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Deal 13 cards to each player. A round of bidding determines the trump suit.
Gameplay
- Step 1: Players bid to set the trump suit. The highest bidder names trump and leads the first trick.
- Step 2: Players play tricks following standard trick-taking rules (follow suit, trump wins, highest card takes the trick). Won trick cards go into your team's collection.
- Step 3: After all 13 tricks, each team examines their collected cards and forms rummy-style melds (sets of same rank, runs in a suit). Points come from both tricks won and melds formed.
Scoring
- Each trick won is worth a set number of points.
- Melds formed from collected cards add bonus points (longer runs and larger sets score higher).
Variations
- No-trump Sviten: A variant where no trump suit is declared, emphasizing meld-building over trick power.
- Open Sviten: The last 3 cards of each hand are played face up for added strategy.
Tips and Strategies
- Balance your play between winning key tricks and collecting cards that form melds.
- Pay attention to which cards your partner is winning to coordinate meld-building.
Tips & Strategy
Think about meld potential when deciding which tricks to pursue. Sometimes losing a trick intentionally can set up better melds from the cards your opponents discard.
The dual scoring system means you must constantly weigh trick value against meld potential. Advanced players track which cards remain and plan melds several tricks ahead.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Sviten Special is one of very few card games that successfully merges two distinct game genres (trick-taking and rummy) into a single cohesive experience.
What two distinct card game genres does Sviten Special combine?
History & Culture
Sviten Special originated in Sweden and is considered one of the most inventive card games to emerge from Scandinavian gaming culture.
Sviten Special holds a niche but dedicated following in Sweden and has gained international interest among card game enthusiasts seeking novel hybrid designs.
Variations & House Rules
Variants include no-trump rounds that shift emphasis toward meld collection and open-hand play that increases strategic depth.
Adjust the meld scoring values to emphasize either the trick-taking or rummy aspect depending on your group's preference.
