Re: [pbmserv-dev] Tichu

[Mark Ballinger <mballinger@ballinger.cx>]

On Fri, Sep 16, 2005 at 07:09:36AM -0700, Douglas Zander wrote:
> 
> I don't know how to play Tichu but I was just wondering something; if you are
> worried about a long wait between turns giving the impression that a team is
> thinking about doing something specific then how would it be if you required a
> certain amount of time to pass before you make a move.  The opposing team would
> not know if you are deciding about "bombing" or if you are just waiting for
> your move window to open up.  This will make the game last much longer, but it
> might solve the problem.  Just my crazy idea...  :-)

It's more that everybody is given the opportunity to bomb at any time.

Tichu is a ladder-building game, played in sets.  The player with the lead throws down a set, for example a pair, three of a kind.  Everybody must follow with a higher set of the same type, or pass.

This is done in turn, around the table.  As soon as three players have passed in turn, the last set player takes the trick and leads a new kind of set.

A bomb is a killer set.  Four of a kind or a straight flush of five cards.  It can be played on top of any other lead, and at any time by any body.  Once a bomb is played, it can be beaten only by a better bomb, which again can be played out-of-turn.

So, the problem is I lay down a set and the person to my left passes, but maybe he holds a bomb that he only wants to throw down if his partner across the table can't beat my set.  If the game passes around and I take the trick, he's lost his chance.