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Tarabish glossary

The words people actually use at the table, in alphabetical order.

Bait

The calling team finished behind. Every point it took goes to the other side. See Bait and half-bait.

Bella

The King and Queen of trump held together, worth 20 when called on the second of the two cards. Also called the bells. See Runs and Bella.

Call

Naming a trump suit. Also what you do to announce a run before you play your first card.

Dry ten

A 10 with no other card in its suit to protect it. A sad little card, because the Ace takes it.

Fifty

A run of four or more cards in a row in one suit.

Follow suit

Playing a card of the suit that was led. You have to if you can.

Forced

When everyone passes and the bidding comes back to the dealer, the dealer can't pass and has to name trump. See When to call trump.

Half-bait

The calling team landed on exactly half. It scores nothing and the other side keeps its own points.

Kitty

The last three cards each player is dealt. They stay face down until trump has been named.

Last

Winning the final trick of the hand, which is worth 10 extra.

Misplay (or renege)

Failing to follow suit, or failing to beat the trump on the table when you could have. If it's called and proven, all the points go to the team that caught it.

Run

A sequence in one suit that scores bonus points. Three in a row is a twenty and four or more is a fifty.

Table talk

Any talk or hint about the cards in play. It's against the rules. See Table talk and etiquette.

Trick

One round of play, with one card from each of the four players. The highest card takes it, and the winner leads the next one.

Trump

The suit chosen by the calling team. Any trump beats any plain-suit card, and the Jack and 9 outrank the Ace. See Why the Jack beats everything.

Twenty

A run of three cards in a row in one suit.