Bastra



History 
Pişti was originally played mainly by shepherds, later the game was able to gain a foothold in the cities. Especially in the region Iğdır Pişti is considered a national sport. For this even tournaments are organized which are rewarded with a high prize money. Due to the immigrants from Turkey, this game also spread in Switzerland and Germany. It is often played by both the first generation and their descendants.

The game 
The game is played with a 52 card deck and can involve two, three or four players, although the game is most interesting in the two or four player versions. In the four player version, the players can play for themselves or in two player teams. The first team or player to score 100 points is the winner.

The play 
The dealer starts by dealing 1 card to each player, starting with the player on the dealer's left, until each player has 4 cards. The dealer then places 4 cards in the middle of the table, called the board. If 1 or more of the 4 cards is a jack, the dealer returns the jack(s) to the bottom of the deck and replaces it or them with the next card(s) from the top of the deck. The play begins with the player to the dealer's left until all cards are played out. The players either collect (fish) cards from the board or add a card to the board if they cannot fish any cards. After the cards are exhausted, the dealer then deals each player 4 more cards from the remaining deck. The dealer, however, does not deal 4 cards onto the board as done for the opening hand. The hands are played out until there are no remaining cards to be dealt.

In the two player version, each round has six hands, in the three player version, each round has four hands, and in the four player version, each round consists of three hands.

Scoring 
The scoring is as follows:

 The aces, which have a numeral value of 1, are worth 1 point each.
 The jacks are worth 1 point each.
 The two of clubs is worth 2 points.
 The ten of diamonds is worth 3 points.
 The player or team that collects the most cards in a given hand receives 3 points. In the event of a tie, each player or team receives 3 points.
 The player or team that collects all the cards in play without benefit of a jack receives 10 points, or a Pishti.

Collecting cards 
The object of the game is to collect total cards and cards that are worth various points. Cards are collected as follows:

Pairing: Any card may be used to take another card or cards of the same denomination, i.e. a 7 takes a 7, a king takes a king, a 6 takes two 6s, etc.
Combining: Multiple cards may be collected through adding the numeral value of the cards together. For example, the board shows 2, an ace, 5 and 4. A player with a 3 could take 2 and the ace (2+1=3), or a player holding a 9 could take 5 and 4 (5+4=9), or a player holding a 7 could take 2, the ace and 4 (2+1+4=7).
A player may also collect combinations of the same sum. For example, if the board shows 5, 4, 2 and 7, a 9 would take all 4 cards, i.e. 5+4 and 2+7=9 (this would also be a Pishti).
Pairing and combining: Taking cards through pairing and combining can occur on the same play. For example, if the board showed 3 6 5 4 and 9, a 9 would take all the cards, i.e. 3+6 and 5+4=9, plus the 9 would be paired with the 9 (this would also be a Pishti).

On the last hand, there are often uncollected cards left on the board. These cards are awarded to the last player or team to collect a card.

Jack 
The jack is the most powerful card because it can collect all the cards on the board. However, if a jack is played onto an empty board, it is lost and remains in play until one of the players can collect it, usually with another jack.

Pishti 
The Pishti is the most important scoring play of the game since it is worth 10 points. A Pishti occurs when a player succeeds in clearing the board without benefit of a jack. For example, if the board shows just a 7 and a player collects it with another 7, that player or team receives 10 points. In another scenario, if the board shows 3 and 2 and a player collects them with a 5, that player or team also receives 10 points. In the rare event that a jack takes a solitary jack, no Pishti is awarded

Placement of collected cards 
The players place the collected cards close to their position at the table. To record Pishtis, the player places the Pishti card face up, sticking out of the player's pile of collected cards. The dealer should be careful to place his or her collected cards away from the deck, so as to avoid confusion. Players are not allowed to look at their collected cards until the end of the hand. At the end of the hand, the players count their total cards and points.

End of game 
The game ends when one player or team reaches 100 points. In the rare event of a tie (2 players or teams finish even beyond the 100 point mark) there are various tie-breaking options, determined by the players by mutual consent. The game can be declared a draw, or an extra hand or hands can be played until the tie is broken. Or the players can extend the game to a fixed number of points (20, 30 or 50).

See also 
Cassino (card game)
Escoba
Scopa
Pasur (card game)

References

External links 
The History of Playing Cards

Category:Comparing card games
Category:Fishing card games
Category:Turkish games