ALL CARD GAMES
INTRODUCTION
Dutch game where skill and bluffing are vital. Once players learn the order of the
cards it will be hard to stop playing. Best played with four players.
HOW TO PLAY TOEPEN
Playing with a deck of 32 cards (only 7 to A) each player is dealt four cards face down.
The order of card rank is the most complicated part of this game to remember.
Player one plays one card, the other player(s) then tries to play a higher card of the same suit. If other players have the same suit they must play it. If they don't have the same suit they can play any card.
The winner of the hand is the one who has the highest card in the leading suit 10♠. They coilect the cards and place them face down, a new round starts with the winner of the hand.
Play four hands per round, the player who wins the forth and last hand of the round has 0 points, all other players get 1 point.
At any point of a round a player can tap the table to indicate they wish to raise the stakes by one point, this is called a toep. Each player from the left of the one that toep’ed must decide if they want to fold for one point, go with it for two points or over-toep for an extra point.
Change your cards at the start of the game by placing them face down and saying 'dirty laundry'. Other players have the option to check if you're bluffing, if they are, they get 1 point and take their cards back. If they are not, they can get four new cards and the checker gets one point.
THE DEAL
Thirty two cards are used, 7 to A. Each player is dealt four cards face down.
RANKING
THE PLAY
Player one plays one card e.g. 9♠️. The next player then plays one card. If they have the same suit as the first card played, they must play it e.g. 10♠️. If they don’t, they can play any card.
HOW TO WIN
The aim is not to lose points. When players reach fifteen points they are out. When all opponents reach fifteen points, the winner is crowned.
HIGHEST CARD WINS
The winner of the hand is the player who has the highest card in the leading suit, e.g. 10♠️. They collect the cards and place them face down. The winner starts the next round with any card.
WIN THE LAST HAND
Play four hands per round. The winner of the last hand scores zero points e.g. 8 wins. All other players score one point
TOEPEN
Players have three options:
– Fold and score one point
– Carry on in the round and play for two points
– Knock over the top and raise the stakes by an extra point e.g from two to three points
AFTER A KNOCK
At any point in a round a player can Knock the table to indicate they wish to raise the stakes by one point, they say “Toepen” at the same time. The game pauses and each player must make a decision.
DIRTY LAUNDRY
Players have the option to change their cards before the start of the round by placing them face down and saying ‘Dirty Laundry’. They can have any combination from the below or bluff that they do.
CHECKING DIRTY LAUNDRY
Players can check if their opponents are bluffing:
– If they are bluffing, they get one point and take their cards back e.g. A, Q, J, 8.
– If they are not, they can get four new cards and the challenger gets one point, e.g. J, K, J, 7.
POVERTY
When any player has fourteen points in total they are in Poverty. Players are not allowed to call Dirty Laundry or Knock. Rounds are played for two points. Players not on fourteen points can fold for one point before the first hand is
played.
THE WINNER
At the end of each round, points are counted. The winner of the last hand scores zero points and all other players score one point unless a player knocked and others called or raised.
When players score fifteen points they are out; the last player left is the winner.
VIDEO OF HOW TO PLAY TOEPEN
TIPS
When playing with five to six players, add the 6’s. Add the 5’s and 6’s for seven to eight players.
The lowest card is always used for Dirty Laundry.
STRATEGY
Bluff on the last card.
The best players only call “Toepen” when it’s their turn.
EXTRAS
Players must whistle at the start of the round if they have three 10’s.
A variation of Dirty Laundry is that players get a new hand even if caught bluffing.
SIMILAR GAMES
- Whist
- Spades
- Contract Bridge
