Agurk (also known as "Gurk" or "Agurk" in Danish) is a simple and fun trick-taking card game that is popular in Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark. It is a game of survival where the main objective is to avoid scoring points, as the game ends when a player accumulates a certain number of points. Unlike many trick-taking games, the emphasis is on avoiding certain pitfalls rather than capturing tricks to gain points.
Game Concept: Agurk
Components
- Deck of Cards:
- A standard 52-card deck is used for this game. All suits are equal in value, and the cards rank from Ace (high) to 2 (low).
- Players:
- Agurk is best played with 3 to 7 players.
Setup
Deal the Cards:
- The dealer shuffles the deck and deals each player an equal number of cards. In a 4-player game, for example, each player receives 7 cards.
Determine Starting Player:
- The player to the left of the dealer usually starts the first round.
Gameplay Overview
Agurk is played over a series of rounds, and each round consists of several tricks. The player who ends up with the highest card in the final trick of the round scores points.
Playing a Trick:
- The starting player leads the first trick by playing any card from their hand.
- Each subsequent player must play a card of equal or higher value than the previously played card. If a player cannot or chooses not to play a card of equal or higher value, they may play any card but are then out of the round.
Following Suit:
- There is no suit-following rule in Agurk. Players are free to play any card as long as it is of equal or higher value than the previous card if they wish to remain in contention for the round.
Winning a Trick:
- Unlike many trick-taking games, Agurk does not focus on winning each individual trick. Instead, the game focuses on the final trick of the round.
- The goal is to avoid playing the highest card in the final trick of the round.
End of a Round:
- A round ends when all cards have been played.
- The player who played the highest card in the final trick of the round scores points equal to the value of that card (e.g., if the highest card is a King, that player scores 13 points).
Scoring:
- Players tally points based on the highest card they played in the final trick. For example, if the highest card in the last trick is a Queen, the player scores 12 points.
- The game continues over multiple rounds until a player reaches or exceeds the agreed-upon point limit (usually 21 or 31 points). When this happens, that player is eliminated.
Elimination:
- The game continues until all but one player is eliminated. The last remaining player is the winner.
Rules
Card Ranking:
- Cards are ranked from Ace (high) down to 2 (low). All suits are considered equal in Agurk.
Playing Cards:
- On their turn, each player must play a card that is equal to or higher than the previous card to stay in the round. If they can't or don't want to, they play any card and are out of the round.
Passing:
- If a player plays a card lower than the last card, they are effectively "passing" and are out for the rest of the round.
Scoring:
- Points are only scored at the end of each round by the player who has the highest card in the final trick. The value of the highest card determines the points scored.
End of the Game:
- The game ends when all players but one are eliminated by exceeding the point limit. The remaining player is the winner.
FAQ
How many players can play Agurk?
- Agurk can be played with 3 to 7 players, making it a flexible game for small groups.
What happens if two players play the same highest card in the final trick?
- In Agurk, ties are resolved based on the order of play. The player who played the highest card first is considered to have the highest card and thus scores the points.
Can you play any card if you cannot play an equal or higher card?
- Yes, if you cannot play an equal or higher card (or choose not to), you can play any card from your hand, but this means you are out of the round.
What is the typical point limit for elimination?
- The typical point limit is either 21 or 31 points, but this can be adjusted based on player preference to make the game shorter or longer.
Can you end a round without scoring any points?
- Yes, if you manage to avoid playing the highest card in the final trick, you will not score any points for that round.
Can the game end in a single round?
- It is unlikely for the game to end in a single round because the point values are spread out over several rounds. However, a player can be eliminated quickly if they consistently score high points.
What if all players pass in the first trick?
- This scenario is rare. However, if it happens, the round ends immediately, and the highest card played scores points.
Is there a strategy to avoid accumulating points?
- Yes, the key strategy is to avoid being forced to play high cards, especially in the final trick. Carefully manage your hand to avoid being the last player to play a high card.
How do I determine the starting player for the next round?
- The player who played the highest card in the previous round's final trick typically starts the next round.
Can I bluff in Agurk?
- Bluffing is not a formal part of Agurk, but you can try to mislead other players by playing lower cards strategically to avoid suspicion of holding high cards.
Agurk is an easy-to-learn, lighthearted game with a focus on managing risk and avoiding pitfalls. Its straightforward rules and quick rounds make it ideal for casual play among friends and family. Whether you aim to avoid the dreaded "Agurk" (highest card) or strategically navigate the rounds, Agurk offers engaging gameplay with plenty of room for tactics and cunning.