LogFAQs > #948934034

Basic idea of trick-taking games:

Deal out the cards so everyone has the same amount

Someone "leads" a.k.a. plays the first card by simply laying it face up on the table

General rule is, going around the table in order every player must lay down a card of the same suit as the card that was led

If a player is out of cards of that suit, they may "throw off" a.k.a. play any card they want from their hand

Once all players have put down a card, whoever played the highest card that matched the original suit "wins the trick". Generally this player then gets to lead the next trick with any card they want

At the end you count up how many tricks you won and there's points etc.

Also, some games have a trump suit, meaning any card of that suit beats any card that is not that suit and only loses to a higher trump

Whether or not one may play trump when they're not yet out of the suit that was led can differ, but generally not allowed