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Official Mendikot Rules

Mendikot is a trick-taking card game where the focus is on capturing the ten-value cards. Here's how to play:

The goal of Mendikot is to be the first player to reach a predefined number of points by winning tricks and capturing valuable cards.

Setup

1. Deck: Mendikot uses a Spanish deck of 40 or 48 cards (without 8s and 9s in the 40-card version).

2. Players: The game is typically played with 4 players, but it can be adapted for 2 to 6 players.

3. Dealing: Each player is dealt a hand of cards (usually 10 cards each if 4 players are involved). The dealer rotates each round.

Trick-Taking: The game is played in tricks, with each player playing one card per trick. The player who plays the highest card of the leading suit wins the trick and collects the cards.
Leading: The player to the dealer's right leads the first trick. Players must follow the suit if they have cards of that suit; otherwise, they can play any card.
Card Values:
- 1s (Aces): Typically have high value.
- Face Cards: Have specific values (often 3 for King, 2 for Knight, and 1 for Jack).
- Number Cards: Value as their face value or according to specific game rules.
Scoring: Points are awarded based on the cards captured. The exact point values can vary, so consult specific rules or regional variations.
Winning a Hand: A hand ends when all tricks have been played, and points are counted. The player or team with the highest points wins the hand.

Card Points: Each card has a point value.
Winning Conditions: The game can be played over several hands, with the first player or team to reach a set number of points being declared the winner.

Trick-taking: Winning tricks is essential to capture the desired ten-value cards.
Partnership: Effective communication and cooperation between partners can improve the chances of winning.
Strategy: Players need to balance the desire to win tricks with the need to capture ten-value cards.

Mendikot is a relatively simple card game that can be enjoyed by players of all levels. It's a good choice for a casual game night.