Omani 61

How to play

1. 36 cards: the 2s, 8s, 9s and 10s are removed. In every suit the order from the top is ace, 7, king, jack, queen, then 6, 5, 4 and 3.
2. Six players in two teams of three seated alternately, or four in two teams of two. Each player gets three cards, and the trump card lies face up under the stock, so it is the last card drawn.
3. The player on the dealer's right leads. You may play any card; following suit is not required.
4. The highest trump wins the trick, otherwise the highest card of the suit led, and the winner leads next.
5. After each trick, while the stock lasts, everyone draws a card, the trick winner first.

The amwal and winning

• The amwal are eight cards: the four aces and the four sevens. The team that takes more of them wins the hand.
• At 4 each, more aces wins, then more secondary points: ace 1, king 4, jack 3, queen 2. If everything is level the hand is a bayta and the next hand counts double.
• Each team holds six outside cards (the 10, 9 and 8 of its colour). The hand's winner gives away one of them, or three (maris) with all eight amwal, or with six or seven when the loser's points are low; all eight amwal with the loser on 10 or less is kaba, which ends the game.
• The team that gives away all six outside cards first wins.