Jo-Jotte
| Ely Culbertson - the author of Jo-Jotte | |
 | |
| Origin | US |
|---|---|
| Players | 2-4 |
| Difficulty | relatively high |
| Cards | 32 |
| Rank (high→low) | A 10 K Q J 9 8 7 in non trump suits J 9 A 10 K Q 8 7 in trump suit |
| Related games | |
| Klabberjass, Belote | |
Jo-Jotte is a variant of Klabberjass devised by Ely Culbertson.[1] In its basic form, it's a 2-player card game, however variants for 3 and 4 players also exist. It's played with a deck of 32 cards. The game has streamlined scoring modeled after bridge and slightly augmented bidding. Culbertson named the game after his wife, Josephine Culbertson.[2]
Overview
Values of cards
The game has simplified and streamlined scoring system. Instead of rather baroque scoring characteristic for ace-ten and jass games values of cards are following:[1]
- the jack of trumps = 20 pts.,
- 9 of trumps = 15 pts.,
- ace = 10 pts.,
- 10 = 10 pts.,
- K = 5 pts.,
- Q = 5 pts.,
- taking the last trick = 10 pts.,
- jo-jotte (a pair of the king and the queen of trumps) = 20 pts.
Bidding
Bidding in Jo-Jotte was slightly augmented relative to Klabberjass. Players are allowed to bid no trump. After seeing all their cards, defender can bid misère/nullo what is an obligation to take no tricks, and the declarer can bid slam, what is an obligation to take all tricks. Contracts may be doubled and redoubled.
Play
Play is typical for jass games with one exception: according to Culbertson's rules the defender leads to the first trick (instead of the forehand).
Scoring
The scoring is modelled after contract bridge: points are scored below the line and above the line. There are games and rubbers. A game consists of 80 pts. below the line. A rubber consists of two games made by a player.
Bonuses are
- for making a rubber - 300 pts.,
- for unbid slam - 100 pts.,
- for bid and made slam - 500 pts.,
- made misere/nullo - 200 pts.,
- failed misere/nullo - 200 pts. for the opponent plus additional 100 pts. for the opponent for second and every next trick taken.
Bibliography
- John McLeod. "Jo-Jotte".
- "Jo-Jotte".
References
- 1 2 "Jo-Jotte". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
- ↑ "Jo-Jotte". BoardGameGeek. Retrieved 2026-08-15.
Jo-Jotte is named after Josephine Culbertson his first wife and distinguished partner.