Reversis

Sympkyn of the Moor

Number of players: 4
Type of game: Card
Period: 1600-1800 Reversis is a 16th-century trick-taking card game of Spanish origin that became fashionable throughout Europe, particularly in France and Italy. As its name suggests, Reversis is all about reversing the usual trick-taking goal: players aim to avoid winning tricks, especially certain undesirable cards. It’s a game of avoidance, misdirection, and cunning—often seen as an ancestor of games like Hearts.

History of Reversis

  • Origin: Likely developed in Spain during the late 1500s.

  • Name Meaning: From the Spanish reversis, meaning “reversed” or “contrary”.

  • Spread: Widely played in France and Italy during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

  • Popularity: Known in noble circles and referenced in period literature; once described as the “queen of trick-avoidance games.”

  • Legacy: A forerunner of Hearts, Barbu, and Toepen, Reversis introduced the concept of penalty cards.

Traditional Equipment

  • Deck: 48-card deck (a standard 52-card deck with the 10s removed, or use a Spanish/Italian 48-card pack).

  • Players: 4 players (best suited), playing individually.

  • Tokens: Coins or markers for keeping score.

Card Ranking

In each suit:
King (high), Queen, Knight (or Jack), 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (low)
(10s are removed if using a standard deck.)

Objective

To avoid winning tricks, especially those containing Queens or certain cards of Hearts. The game is usually played for stakes, and players are penalised for capturing tricks or specific cards.

Basic Rules

Deal

  1. Shuffle and deal 12 cards to each player.

  2. Play proceeds clockwise.

Trick Play

  1. The player to the dealer’s left leads the first trick.

  2. Players must follow suit if able; otherwise, they may play any card.

  3. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick.

  4. The winner of each trick leads the next.

Scoring

Players score penalty points for taking tricks and specific cards:

Penalty Item Points
Each trick taken 1 pt
Each Queen captured 2 pts
Queen of Hearts 4 pts
Last trick taken 2 pts

At the end of the hand, players total their penalty points. The player with the lowest score wins.

Optional / Historical Variants

1. Reversis Declaration

  • A player may declare Reversis at the start of a round, committing to win no tricks at all.

  • If successful, they score 4 bonus points (or avoid all penalties).

  • If they win even one trick, they score double penalties for all tricks and Queens taken.

2. Heartbreaker Variant

  • The entire suit of Hearts is penalised:

    • Each Heart taken = 1 point

    • Queen of Hearts = 4 points (as above)

    • Ace of Hearts = 2 points

3. Partnership Reversis

  • Played with two teams of two players (partners sit opposite).

  • Teams pool penalty points and coordinate to help each other avoid tricks.

  • Optional: Use a dummy hand if three players only.

4. Skins Variant

  • Instead of a running score, the loser of each round pays a fixed stake into the pot.

  • The first player to win 3 rounds takes the pot.

Summary Table

Rule Area Details
Players 4 (best), optionally 3 with dummy or rotation
Deck 48-card deck (omit 10s from a standard pack)
Objective Avoid tricks and penalty cards
Lead/Follow Follow suit if possible, high card wins
Scoring Penalty points for tricks and Queens, lowest wins
Style Strategic trick avoidance, elegant and subversive