How to keep score in Klaverjassen

Each deal of Klaverjassen is worth 162 points, plus roem for runs, sets and the stuk. The playing team must score more than the other team, or it goes nat and the other team takes everything. After 16 deals, the higher total wins.

At a glance

• Players: 4 in two teams of 2

• Who wins: Higher total after 16 deals

• Each deal: 162 points, plus roem

• Cards: 32, seven to ace

What each card is worth

In the trump suit, the jack (the jas) and the nine (the nel) become the top cards. The last trick adds 10.

Trumps add up to 62 and each other suit to 30, so the cards make 152. With 10 for the last trick, every deal is 162. French Belote uses the same values.

Roem

Roem is bonus points for cards that fall together in one trick. The team that wins the trick claims it, whoever played the cards. For runs, the cards go in their usual order: ace, king, queen, jack, ten, nine, eight, seven.

• Three in a row in one suit (driekaart): 20

• Four in a row (vierkaart): 50

• Stuk, the king and queen of trumps: 20, also when they're part of a run (40 or 70 in all)

• Four of a kind, aces, tens, kings or queens: 100

• Four jacks: 200

Nat and pit

The team that chose trumps must score more than half: more points than the other team, roem included. If it doesn't, even by a tie, it goes nat. It scores 0, and the other team scores 162 plus all the roem from both sides.

Take every trick and you make pit (a march): 100 extra roem on top of the 162.

Amsterdam or Rotterdam rules

The two sets of rules differ in when you have to trump. In Rotterdam rules you must always trump or overtrump when you can't follow suit, even if your partner is winning the trick. In Amsterdam rules you don't have to trump when your partner is already winning it.

The scoring is the same either way. A player who breaks the rules on following suit or trumping (verzaken) usually costs their team the deal, as if it went nat.

How long a game lasts

A game is 16 deals, so each player deals four times. Some tables play to 1,500 points instead.

A scoring example

Team A against Team B, the first four deals.

In deal 2, Team A score 162 plus B's 20 roem. In deal 3, pit is 162 plus 100. The cards in every deal add up to 162: 98 + 64, 70 + 92 and 61 + 101. Twelve deals to go.

Keep score in Tallynight

Klaverjassen is set up for you: rounds, highest score wins, 16 deals. Add each team as a player, and after each deal type both teams' points, roem included, on one keypad. The table keeps the totals, who's in front and who deals next.

• Offers to end the game after the 16th deal

• Change the number of deals, or keep your table's rules as a favourite

• Tap any deal to fix it

• A race chart that replays the game at the end

• Get Tallynight on the App Store: free, no ads.

• Print a Klaverjassen score sheet if you'd rather keep score on paper.

Questions

What is roem in Klaverjassen?

Bonus points for cards that fall together in one trick: 20 for three in a row, 50 for four, 20 for the stuk (king and queen of trumps), 100 for four of a kind and 200 for four jacks. The team that wins the trick gets it.

What does nat mean in Klaverjassen?

The playing team didn't score more than the other team. It scores 0 for the deal, and the other team gets 162 plus all the roem.

Is a tie nat in Klaverjassen?

Yes. The playing team needs more points than the other team, roem included, so a tie counts as nat.

How many points is a pit in Klaverjassen?

100 extra roem, on top of the 162, for the team that takes all eight tricks.

How many deals are in a game of Klaverjassen?

16, so each player deals four times. Some tables play to 1,500 points instead.

What's the difference between Amsterdam and Rotterdam Klaverjassen?

When you have to trump. In Rotterdam rules you always trump or overtrump if you can't follow suit. In Amsterdam rules you needn't when your partner is winning the trick. The scoring is the same.

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