Requirements
- 4 players
- age: 9+
- 32 standard cards (7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A)
Before game:
Each player draws one card from the shuffled deck. The player with the highest card becomes the Emperor, the second highest the King, the third the Worker, and the fourth the Serf.
Roles:
Emperor:
Leads the entire game, regardless of taking the trick or not. Can demand corvée from the Serf at the begining, if remembered.
King:
Chooses the trump suit after receiving half of the cards (4 cards). If undecided, can draw a 5th card and show it to all players, its suit becomes the trump.
Worker:
Cuts the cards before dealing.
Serf:
Shuffles the cards before dealing. Deals the cards in order: King, Emperor, Worker, Serf. The Emperor can demand corvée from the Serf.
Definitions:
Trick:
A set of four cards played in one round.
Corvée:
Before the game starts, the Emperor can demand corvée from the Serf (others cannot remind the Emperor). The Serf must give their best trump card or the best card if no trump. The Emperor returns one of their cards in exchange. The exchanged cards are not shown to King and Worker. If the Emperor doesn’t return a card, the Serf gets the first trick and must receive a card back from the Emperor.
Game Flow:
The Emperor leads the game. Players must follow suit, throwing the same suit as the first card played. If a player lacks that suit, they can play a trump card to win the trick. After all players play their cards, one wins the trick. After eight rounds, the player with the most tricks becomes or remains the Emperor. The second most becomes the King, the third the Worker, and the last the Serf. If tied, the higher-ranked player drops to a lower rank.
Scoring:
- Players score points after each round:
- Emperor: 3 points
- King: 2 points
- Worker: 1 point
- Serf: 0 points