The Schnapsen Log
Must-Read Columns
Martin Tompa
The columns for The Schnapsen Log are presented in a logical progression. I believe that readers will get the most out of this series if the columns are read from the beginning of the archives in order. If you are joining us midstream and you don’t want to read them all from the beginning, here are the ones that I consider “must-read” columns. They contain fundamental ideas you will need in order to understand the columns that follow them.
- Complete rules of the game (skip this if you already know the rules): Schnapsen and Sixty-Six Rules
- What the whole series is about, and the particular rules variants we play here: The Card Game Called Schnapsen
- Deciphering the position: How To Read the Card Diagrams
- Tip: when following to the last trick before the stock is exhausted, first consider ducking: To Duck or Not to Duck
- How to endplay your opponent: Elimination Play
- How to measure the value of a play when the outcome depends on which cards remain face-down in the stock: Expected Game Points
- Tip: when leading to the last trick before the stock is exhausted, first consider closing the stock: On the Brink of Defeat
- How to estimate the number of trick points your opponent will contribute if you close the stock: How Much Help Can You Expect?
- Tips on winning the last trick when the stock is exhausted: Tempo
- Tip: when only one face-down card remains in the stock, consider whether your opponent’s play narrows the possibilities for what that last card is: X-ray Vision
© 2012 Martin Tompa. All rights reserved.
