Monthly Archives: September 2010

Counting Points

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Counting points can sometimes be the key to winning or loosing. When you are looking to set an opponent or simply make your bid, being aware of how many points you have, how many points are still out there, and how many you are wiling to loose is what will make you win or lose close rounds.

When you are aware of how many points you can lose and still make your bid, it allows you to throw away some potential tricks that you might be considering trumping. Also, if you are aware of how many points you need to set the opponent, it will help to know how many points to sluff to your opponent. For example, if you have a 10 and a 1 in your hand, it may be worth throwing the 1 on your opponents winning card rather than the 10 if it is all that is needed for setting your opposition.

Simply remember that the difference between making your bid and being set is often only a matter of 5 points, so manage your points wisely and you will be on your way to a winning strategy.

Choosing Trump

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In the game of rook, choosing your trump color after getting your 5 card kitty is usually fairly obvious.  For the most part, you are going to choose the color you have the most cards in, unless they are very low (like to the 10 or something).   Otherwise, if you have 7 or more of one color, that is likely going to be your trump by shear numbers.   Every so often, it is worth choosing your second most color when it is extremely powerful.  For example, if you have the 11 through 1 of one color, than that is all, but then 7 of another suit, not as powerful.   You are taking a risk that you will have less trump than an opponent, but it is still possible that you can pull all trump in 3 or 4 tricks.

There is always a significant portion of luck involved when choosing trump.  There is a slightly higher probability that one of your opponents has a large amount of your trump rather than your teammate.  But what it boils down to is choosing a color that you can hope to force your opponents to play all their trumps early on without having to loose to many tricks. 

Depending on your bid, you may be willing to lose a certain number of points in your trump suit.    Count points to make sure you are going to make it.

Buying Rook Cards

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If you are an avid rook player, you have no doubt gone through a few decks of rook playing cards. Here at rook game, typically with buy our rook cards at places like walmart or target. They typically cost around $6.00 per pack. Unfortunately, if you play a lot, these decks get sticky and damaged rather quickly. As of right now, there is no specific place selling plastic rook cards. Some people have simply used a regular deck of plastic cards with a joker as the rook, however a regular deck of cards only has 53 cards (including the joker) whereas the rook deck is typically 57. This can make for some slight changes in the game though we have people that are completely fine with this change.

Deluxe Rook Cards

Deluxe rook cards are exactly the same as other sets of rook cards, simply made by a different company and have slightly different bird figures.

Plastic Rook Cards

The Website Rook Playing Cards has shown a dedication to locating the latest information on purchasing plastic rook cards. We highly recommend joining their mailing list to get informed when a company has produced rook cards in full plastic.

Additional information regarding plastic rook cards is now available.

About Rook

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Rook

With its numbered deck of 57 cards, Rook, the classic card game, has elements of everything: bridge, pinochle, and lots of trumping and trick-taking. Includes two “black bird” cards that can change the course of any match. This basic set gives you all you need to get started: the deck and the rules. Great for learning strategy and patience for online play.

We are thrilled to be the complete source of everything you need to know about the rook game. Our goal is simple, provide a place for those looking to find out more about rook, as well as provide a place where those who play a lot of rook can learn and share with others, to hopefully take their game to the next level. If you have a story or a question and would like to share, please visit the rook game forum now.

Learning How to Play the Rook Game

Many people like to play cards, and there are many different games out there to be learned and played. However, for all the games out there, it is very rare for anyone to use anything different than the standard fifty-two card deck. Many people are likely unaware that another type of deck even exists. These people have likely never been introduced to rook playing cards or the rook game.

The rook game uses a deck of fifty-seven cards, which consists of a rook card and four suits of fourteen cards. The game consists of four players divided into two teams of two players each. Cards hold different point totals and each team tries to capture high-value cards from their opponent by tricking them away. Once a team has reached three hundred points, they win.

For people who like games that make them think, they would likely enjoy this game very much. The part they would enjoy the most is the method in which they capture cards away from their opponent. To successfully trick them out of a card, they must out-think or out-wit the person they are up against. It is a game of high concentration, so it is advisable to only play when you are in a frame of mind where you can give it your full attention. Failing to do so could result in a humiliating loss if your opponents are ready to play. As well, if you do not perform well, it can be very embarrassing, as your teammate could become very angry at you for not pulling your weight. Nobody likes to be the one to let down a team.

What separates this game from others is the number of cards used. This can be difficult for some people to adjust to, as the extra card per suit can be deceptively tricky. You may not think it’s a big deal, but if you’ve been conditioned to think of a thirteen-card suit, you may wonder why you can’t quite wrap your mind around this rook game. Of course, if you keep this one thing in mind, it should help you go a long way toward being successful.

Where did the game of Rook come from?

This game was introduced by Parker Brothers in 1905 and has become the card game de rigeur of countless people in the South. Legend says Parker Brothers introduced it to meet the entertainment needs of a the people of the region who swore off “gambling cards” prohibited by their religious faith.

It is very similar to Spades, and Whist, but the number of tricks are unimportant–what is important is capturing as many point cards as possible.

In the century since it was introduced, this card game has endured and for good reason. It is addictive, as players try to get their fix–being the high bidder so you can win the nest and call the trump.

Also, it is the best entertainment value around: by the time the deck has been worn out you have only spent pennies per hour.

And one more thing…. while there are many versions included with the rules, the Kentucky Discard versions seems to be the “standard” Rook games played by most people in Eastern Kentucky.