Trix Complex is a four-player card game that can be played in both the regular (without partnership) and partnership modes. We will first explain the rules of the regular Trix Complex game and then outline the differences between regular Trix Complex and Trix Complex Partnership.
Cards and Distribution
Trix Complex uses a standard deck of playing cards (52 cards, excluding jokers). The game is divided into four "Kingdoms”, each containing two requests: Trix requests and “Ltoosh”. The dealer is chosen randomly, shuffles the cards thoroughly, and deals 13 cards to each player. The player who receives the 7 of hearts becomes the owner of the first Kingdom. Players choose their desired requests, and after scoring, the cards are dealt again. The player then selects the second set of requests, and the Kingdom moves to the player on the right. The player or team with the highest score at the end wins.
Cards are ranked from weakest to strongest: 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10 – J – Q – K
How to Play
1. In Ltoosh requests, players lose points for every "eat" or "snatch" that contains any card of the diamond suit, any Queen, and the King of hearts.
2. The owner of the Kingdom starts by throwing a card on the floor. Every other player must play a card of the same suit if they have it, or any other card if they don't.
3. The Ltoosh (snatch) is won by the player who plays the highest card of the same suit thrown by the first player. They become the one to start the next round.
4. Trix requests are not based on the "snatch" system. Instead, each player tries to get rid of their cards by forming sets on the floor according to their suit.
5. Each set starts with the Jack and extends to the Ace at the top and the 2 at the bottom. Players can only place a card on the table if the card preceding or following it directly is already in the set.
6. When it's a player's turn, they must play a card on the sets. If they don't have any cards to play, they can pass their turn.
Doubling
Doubling in the Trix Complex game specifically applies to Ltoosh requests. Only the King of hearts and the Queens are doubled, and the value of the doubled cards is multiplied. The player who owns the King of hearts or any Queen can double the card by revealing it to the other players on the table. This means that the player who doubles the card loses double the usual points, while the player who doubled it gains the original card points as additional points.
Scoring
- King of hearts: the player who takes the King of hearts loses 75 points.
- Queens: the player loses 25 points for each Queen they take.
- Diamonds: the player loses 10 points for each diamond card they take.
- Snatch (Ltoosh): The player loses 15 points for each "snatch" they take.
Trix
200 points are added to the player who finishes their cards first, 150 points for the second player, 100 points for the third, and 50 points for the fourth. In the end, the player or team with the highest total points wins.
Trix Complex Partnership
Trix Complex Partnership differs from regular Trix Complex by introducing the concept of partnership only. Each pair of players sitting opposite each other at the table becomes partners, and their points are combined to determine the winning team at the end of the game.