Auction Pitch

Auction Pitch, a card game which is a popular variationof All Fours. The name is derived from the rule thatthe first card played, or pitched, is the trump suit, and that theeldest hand has the privilege of pitching it or of selling outto the highest bidder.

Gameplay

A full pack is used, and the cards rankas in All Fours, namely from ace down to 2, ace being highestin cutting also. From four to seven may play, each player beingprovided with seven white counters, and also with red countersin case stakes are played for. Each player receives six cardsin every deal, three at a time, no trump being turned. The objectis to get rid of the white counters, one of which may be put intothe pool either (1) for holding the highest trump played; (2)for having the lowest trump dealt to one; (3) for taking theJack (knave) of trumps; or (4) for winning the game, namelythe greatest number of pips that count. In case of a tie of pipsno game is scored. If the eldest hand decides to pitch and not tosell out, he may do so, but is obliged to make four points or beset back that number. If he decides to sell, he says "I pass,"and the player at his left bids for the privilege of pitching thetrump or passes, &c. When a bid has been made the rest must pass or bid higher, and the eldest hand must either accept a bidor undertake to make as many points as the bidder. If no bidis made he pitches the trump himself, without the obligationof making anything. The first card played is the trump suit,the winner of the trick leading again. In trumps a player mustfollow suit if he can, and the same rule applies in plain suits,excepting that a trump may be played at any time ("followsuit or trump"). In play the highest card wins the trick unlesstrumped. When the hand is played out each player puts a whitecounter into the pool for every point won, and the first playerto get rid of all his seven white counters wins the pool and takesfrom it all the red counters, which represent cash. This ends thegame. In case two players count out during the same deal, thebidder has the first right to the pool, the rule being "biddercounts out first." If the two players who count out are neitherof them bidder, then they go out in regular order, i.e. high first,then low, Jack and game. If a bidder fails to make his pointshe is set back that number. A revoke is punished by the offenderbeing set back the number of points bid and forfeiting a redcounter to the pool.

References

*1911