Pitch, bet high, play smart
Nicole Mason
Issue date: 10/2/06 Section: Op/Ed
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Bid em' up, "Shoot the moon!"
Those words are all too famous for the game game Pitch, or at least to my family that is.
Pitch is a card game that tests your knowledge and your wits. It tests how well you can play into your partners hand without getting "set." "Set" is a term used as a way of losing points.
Of course this game isn't as popular as Texas Hold 'em. The game is a little older and most played in the older generation. That does not stop me from playing the game, though.
I enjoy playing the game especially with my family. I don't think I've ever gone to a family reunion without a pitch tournament taking place. I've learned that when I am against my family I either have to bet high, not at all or don't play.
See, the object of the game is to be the first team to reach 32 points. There are many obstacles in the way, though. Not only do you bet on what's in your hand, you also have to decide on what your teammate might have in their hand.
Also, just because you bet higher than the other team, doesn't mean that the other team is going to try and "set" you.
The way you gain points is through betting on what pointer cards are in your hand. These pointer cards include: ace, jack, off jack, hi joker, low joker, ten, three and two. These pointer cards are listed in order of dominance.
Whoever plays the two, automatically gets that point no matter what. Also, the only pointer card that is worth its face value is the three. The three is one of the main cards that most everybody wants to capture.
Not only do you bet on the pointer cards, but you also have to bet on the best suit in your hand, which includes: diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs.
It is a complicated game, but not that hard to learn. There are many different versions of Pitch such as 5-point, 10-point, 13-point, cut throat and many other versions.
The lowest amount of people that can play Pitch is four. Two teams of two. The maximum amount of players is six.
If there are an uneven number of players, say five, then they can play "Call your partner." Call your partner is a way that helps determine teams, but the score is determined by the individual.
Those words are all too famous for the game game Pitch, or at least to my family that is.
Pitch is a card game that tests your knowledge and your wits. It tests how well you can play into your partners hand without getting "set." "Set" is a term used as a way of losing points.
Of course this game isn't as popular as Texas Hold 'em. The game is a little older and most played in the older generation. That does not stop me from playing the game, though.
I enjoy playing the game especially with my family. I don't think I've ever gone to a family reunion without a pitch tournament taking place. I've learned that when I am against my family I either have to bet high, not at all or don't play.
See, the object of the game is to be the first team to reach 32 points. There are many obstacles in the way, though. Not only do you bet on what's in your hand, you also have to decide on what your teammate might have in their hand.
Also, just because you bet higher than the other team, doesn't mean that the other team is going to try and "set" you.
The way you gain points is through betting on what pointer cards are in your hand. These pointer cards include: ace, jack, off jack, hi joker, low joker, ten, three and two. These pointer cards are listed in order of dominance.
Whoever plays the two, automatically gets that point no matter what. Also, the only pointer card that is worth its face value is the three. The three is one of the main cards that most everybody wants to capture.
Not only do you bet on the pointer cards, but you also have to bet on the best suit in your hand, which includes: diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs.
It is a complicated game, but not that hard to learn. There are many different versions of Pitch such as 5-point, 10-point, 13-point, cut throat and many other versions.
The lowest amount of people that can play Pitch is four. Two teams of two. The maximum amount of players is six.
If there are an uneven number of players, say five, then they can play "Call your partner." Call your partner is a way that helps determine teams, but the score is determined by the individual.
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