Spanish trick-taking where four kings or four horses end it outright.
A Spanish trick-taking game built on marriages, and the game most Spanish children learn first. Two to four players.
40 cards, Spanish suited — ace, three, king, horse, jack, then seven down to two. Eight cards each at two players.
Ace, three, king, horse, jack, seven, six, five, four, two.
Ace 11, three 10, king 4, horse 3, jack 2, everything else nothing. 120 points, plus 10 for the last trick.
One card is turned face up under the remaining stock; its suit is trump. Holding the seven of trump, you may swap it for that card when it is your turn to lead.
Play any card you like. Highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led. Winner draws first, then the loser, so hands stay at eight.
King and horse of the same suit, declared after you win a trick and before you lead the next: 20, or 40 in trump.
Once the stock is gone you must follow suit, must beat the highest card if you can, and must trump when you cannot follow.
Holding all four kings, or all four horses, and declaring it wins the hand outright, whatever the score. This is where the game gets its name, and it is why you hold onto kings that look useless.
Whoever has more than half the points wins the deal.