Ten Down
This game is similar to the games of Spades and Hearts in a sense tricks are taken and there are trump cards.
For the first round each player is dealt 10 cards. The next round 9 cards and so on down to one card.
After each deal, every player predicts the number of tricks they will take. Go around clockwise from the person to the left of the dealer.
The total number of tricks called for can be equal to, lower then, or higher than the total number tricks possible.
Players can ask for zero tricks.
For the first trick, the player to the left of the dealer lays down a card face-up of any suit including the trump suit. Subsequent players must follow suit (play a card of that suit) if possible. Otherwise, they can throw off with any other suit including trump.
Subsequent tricks (rounds) the player who won the trick leads with any card including trump.
Scoring – after the round is played each player counts the number of tricks they have. To receive a score a player must have won the exact number of tricks predicted. More or less they get nothing. To score add ten to the number predicted. So, if someone predicted zero tricks and they made it they get 10 points. Someone who predicted three tricks and make it get 13 points.
The easiest way to keep score is to write down the number of tricks wanted. When a player makes them exactly just put a one in front of that number. If they don't simply cross off the number.
Keep playing rounds until after there’s just one card for a round. The player with the most points win. At this point pay up.
Now do over except start with one card and go up to ten. Don’t forget to ante up.
In other versions of this game the number of tricks available must be bid on exactly. So for example you are at five so there are five tricks available. If the first player or two claim all five then all other players must say zero. If there are tricks available when it's the dealers turn to bid then the dealer must bid that exact number.