Ecarté
A French gambling game that was popular in the 19th century. A fast trick-taking game with card exchange, where the King is paramount and 3 of 5 tricks wins the hand.
What You'll Need
About This Game
A French gambling game that was popular in the 19th century. A fast trick-taking game with card exchange, where the King is paramount and 3 of 5 tricks wins the hand.
How to Play
- Use 32-card piquet deck (7 through Ace)
- Card ranking: K, Q, J, A, 10, 9, 8, 7 (King highest!)
- Deal 5 cards each in 2+3 or 3+2; turn up trump
- If trump is King, dealer scores 1 point immediately
- Non-dealer may propose exchange; dealer accepts or refuses
- If accepted: both discard and draw from stock
- May propose again; continue until dealer refuses or stock depleted
- If dealer refuses, non-dealer leads and must win 3 tricks
- Taking 3-4 tricks = 1 point; all 5 tricks (vole) = 2 points
- Holding trump King: announce 'King' to score 1 point
- First to 5 points wins the game
- Refusing exchange and failing to win 3 = 2 points to opponent
History & Background
Écarté emerged in Parisian gaming salons around 1800 and quickly became the gambling game of choice among French high society. The name derives from "écarter" (to discard), reflecting the game's central mechanic.
The game was notorious for the high stakes played. Écarté tables in Parisian clubs saw enormous sums change hands nightly. It was considered a game for gentlemen, requiring cool nerves and quick thinking.
Écarté crossed the English Channel in the 1820s, becoming popular in London's clubs and gaming houses. However, its association with gambling led to its decline when anti-gambling sentiment grew in the late Victorian era.
Today, Écarté is rarely played, but it holds historical significance as one of the most important trick-taking games of the 19th century. Its influence can be seen in games like Euchre (which may be derived from it) and other trump games.