Definitions
Playing a TRICK involves all players (in turn) placing one card from their hand face up on the game surface. Those cards on the game surface are called a trick.
Let’s assume, for example, the first player puts out a yellow card. Each player in turn (going clockwise) puts out a yellow card as well.
The card with the highest value will win the trick.
Winning with the highest card is called “taking a trick.”
Determining the dominate suit color (trump suit)
After the appropriate number of cards are dealt to the players, the next card on the top of the deck is turned over to reveal the trump suit color for that round only.
What cards can you play in a trick?
The first player (left of dealer) begins with any card in his or her hand. Whatever color the first player puts out becomes the led color for that trick only.
Each player must play the same led color if they have it in their hand.
If any player does not have the led color they can play any other color in their hand.
Which card in the trick wins?
The highest value of the led color always wins the trick unless trump is played.
Trump color supersedes all other colors.
When more than one trump card is played the highest trump wins.
IMPORTANT: Keep in mind, trump can only be played IF…
the player does not have any cards of the led color in his hand
OR
trump is the led color .
The led color always wins over any non-trump colors.
The trump color wins over all colors.
How many tricks are in a round?
One trick per card in your hand.
For example: 7 cards held in players hands means there will be 7 tricks.
The number of tricks varies by the number of cards dealt per round.
Illustrations
Welcome to RHINO THE GAME®. We are excited to present to you quick start illustrations showing how you can play like a pro in no time! Let's start with the Beginner's Rules as outlined on page 9 in the Rules of Play without using the special cards and tokens.
In our first illustration we will be passing out 4 cards. Andy is our dealer. Beth is seated to the left of Andy and will begin bidding and card play. Chris is the next player in the clockwise direction, then Dona. We will ONLY focus on explaining bids and tricks in this first illustration.
After shuffling the card deck, Andy passes out four cards to each player, one at a time, clockwise (left) direction beginning with Beth. To simplify, we are illustrating a no-trump round of play. This means that the highest numbered card played of the led suit will win. Every player must follow the led suit if it is in their hand! If any player does not have the led suit color, they may play any card in their hand.
Winning with the highest card is called "taking a trick".
We will begin with Beth declaring her bid. Beth's bid is her verbal and written declaration to win a specific number of tricks. Beth will receive points ONLY when she wins exactly the number of tricks as she bids!
Beth makes a bid of two. Chris follows with a bid of zero. Dona also makes a zero bid. Finally, Andy makes his bid of one.
Now, Beth will begin card play with a Red 12.
Chris, to the left of Beth will play next with a Red 7.
Dona is next to play. Not having the red suit color she plays any suit she desires. She therefore discards her Yellow 11.
Andy now plays a Red 5.
Beth wins the trick with her Red 12 and will begin the next play with the card of her choice.
Beth leads play with a Green 9.
Chris next plays a Green 4.
Dona does not have any green cards so she plays a Yellow 6.
Andy plays his Green 11.
Andy wins the trick with his Green 11 and will begin the next play with the card of his choice.
Andy leads the next card play with a Blue 3.
Beth next plays a Blue 1.
Chris does not have blue so he chooses to play a Red 4.
Dona plays her Blue 0.
Andy wins the trick with his blue 3 and will begin the next play with the card of his choice.
Andy leads with his last card, a Green 2.
Beth plays a Yellow 3.
Chris plays a Green 3.
Dona follows with a Yellow 4.
Chris wins the trick with his green 3.
In scoring, Andy made a bid of one and took two tricks. Since he did not get his exact bid, his round score is zero.
Beth bid two but took only one trick, therefore, her round score is also zero.
Chris bid zero but took one trick, again resulting in a zero round score.
Dona bid zero and won zero tricks. She receives a 10 point round score.
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Let's now play a three card round using the trump color suit!
Beth becomes the dealer. After thoroughly shuffling, she passes out three cards to each player, one at a time, in the clockwise direction beginning with Chris. After all cards are dealt to the players, the next card on the top of the deck is turned over to reveal the trump suit color for the round. This card is a Red 10, therefore the trump suit is Red for this round. The red trump suit becomes the highest value suit for this round; meaning that even a zero red will win the trick over a twelve card played of any other suit!
Chris begins the bidding phase with a bid of one. Next Dona bids zero followed by Andy's bid of one. Beth completes the bidding phase with her bid of two.
Chris leads card play with any card he desires and he chooses a Red 4.
Dona is next to play. Not having the red suit color she plays any suit she desires. She therefore discards Yellow 11.
Andy now plays a Red 5.
Lastly, Beth will play a Red 12.
Beth wins the trick with her Red 12 and will begin the next play with the card of her choice.
Beth leads play with a Green 9.
Chris next plays a Green 4.
Dona does not have any green cards so she plays a Yellow 6.
Andy plays his Green 11.
Andy wins the trick with his Green 11 and will begin the next play.
Andy leads with his last card, a Blue 3.
Beth next plays a Blue 10.
Chris plays a Red 7.
Dona plays her Blue 0.
Since Chris played the trump suit of red, he wins the last trick.
Scoring for this round is:
Chris bid one and took one trick, therefore scoring 11 points.
Dona bid zero and took zero tricks, therefore scoring 10 points.
Andy bid one and took one trick, therefore scoring 11 points.
Beth bid two and took one trick, therefore her round score is zero.
For further clarification, please read and follow recommendations of page 9 in the Rules of Play.