Tribute is a card exchange before the next hand: the losing side gives a required high card, and the recipient returns a card. There is no tribute in the first hand of a match. This game’s casual rules disable it; standard rules use the previous hand’s finishing positions.
The first player out wins the hand for their partnership. Remember that fact even when their partner finishes last. The following procedure describes this product; local tables may differ.
Who pays single or double tribute?
When one partnership takes first and second, both losing players pay tribute. The higher of the two tribute cards goes to the first-place finisher; the other goes to that player’s partner.
Otherwise, this game makes the lower-placed player on the losing team pay the first-place finisher. For example, let A and C be partners, against B and D. If they finish A, B, C, D, then D gives tribute to A, and A returns a card to D.
If they finish A, B, D, C, the winning partnership is still A and C. Under this product’s rules, D pays because D is the lower-placed player on the losing B–D team. Do not assume that the fourth-place player always pays regardless of partnership; check the table rules when playing elsewhere.
Can you choose which high card to give?
You must give your highest non-wild card, including a joker if that is the highest. A heart of the level rank is exempt because it is wild. Other suits of the level rank are not exempt.
At level 7, a hand containing a big joker, a heart 7 and an ace normally owes the big joker. Without jokers, a spade 7 is higher than an ace for this comparison and must be given before the ace.
What should you return?
The standard table normally requires a card with a natural rank of 10 or below. If you hold no eligible card, this game allows another card so the exchange can finish.
Choose with your remaining combinations in mind. If you have a pair of 3s and a loose 8, returning one 3 breaks the pair. The lowest card is not automatically the least useful card. Check what becomes stranded after each possible return.
When is tribute refused?
In this game’s standard rules, the single payer must hold both big jokers to cancel single tribute. For double tribute, count both paying players together: one big joker each is enough. No cards change hands, and the previous first-place finisher leads.
After a normal exchange, the player who paid the first-place finisher leads. The previous winner does not automatically lead every new hand.
What is a useful beginner checklist?
Identify the previous first-place finisher, identify the losing partnership, check for single or double tribute, check for refusal, then check the required payment and eligible return. Practice basic combinations in casual mode first if the exchange distracts you from learning card play.
Read how wild cards work or the full rules guide for the next step.
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