How to keep score in Dutch Blitz

Dutch Blitz is scored after every hand. You get 1 point for each of your cards in the Dutch piles in the middle, and lose 2 for each card left in your Blitz pile. The first player to reach 75 wins.

At a glance

• Players: 2 to 4, up to 8 with the expansion pack

• Who wins: First to 75, or the highest if more than one

• Each hand: Ends when someone empties their Blitz pile

• Blitz pile: 10 cards

How each hand scores

When someone calls Blitz, play stops. Gather up the Dutch piles and sort the cards back to their owners by the picture on the back.

A hand can score below zero. Play 6 cards to the Dutch piles with 4 left in your Blitz pile, and you score 6 − 8 = −2.

When the game ends

Keep a running total. When at least one player reaches 75 at the end of a hand, the game is over and the highest total wins.

The rules don't settle a tie at the top. Play one more hand if you need a winner.

Calling Blitz doesn't win the hand

The player who empties their Blitz pile stops the hand and loses nothing for it, but there's no bonus either. Someone who got more cards into the Dutch piles can still score more that hand.

So keep playing to the Dutch piles from your Post piles and Wood pile too. Every card there is a point.

More players and common mix-ups

• 5 to 8 players: add the expansion pack's four decks. The scoring stays the same.

• 2 players: use five Post piles instead of three. The scoring stays the same.

• Only the Dutch piles score. A card on your own Post piles counts nothing, however hard it was to get there.

• Count your own cards only. Every Dutch pile has everyone's cards in it, so sort them by the back before you count.

A scoring example

One hand with four players. Ana emptied her Blitz pile first and called Blitz.

Ben: 15 − 6 = 9. Cleo: 11 − 12 = −1. Dev got the most cards into the Dutch piles and scored 21 − 2 = 19, more than Ana, who called Blitz.

Write each score under the player, keep a running total, and play on until someone reaches 75.

Keep score in Tallynight

Dutch Blitz isn't one of Tallynight's built-in games yet, but it takes a minute to set up. Choose Something else, then Rounds, with the highest score winning. Leave the target off, because targets go up in tens, and tap End game when someone reaches 75.

After each hand, type everyone's score on one keypad. Add it to your favourites and it's ready next time.

• Everyone's hand on one keypad, with a minus key for a slow Blitz pile

• The running totals and who's in front, after every hand

• Tap any hand to fix a miscount

• Every finished game is kept

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

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

Questions

How do you score Dutch Blitz?

After each hand, count your cards in the Dutch piles for 1 point each, then take off 2 points for each card left in your Blitz pile.

What score do you play to in Dutch Blitz?

75. When someone reaches 75 at the end of a hand, the player with the highest total wins.

Do Post pile cards count in Dutch Blitz?

No. Only your cards in the Dutch piles score, and only your Blitz pile counts against you. Your Post piles, Wood pile and hand count nothing.

Can you get a negative score in Dutch Blitz?

Yes. Each card left in your Blitz pile costs 2, so a slow hand can come out below zero. Write it with a minus sign and take it off your total.

How many players can play Dutch Blitz?

2 to 4 with one box. The expansion pack adds four more decks, for up to 8 players.

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