German Whist 2008.71208

German Whist is a two-player version of Whist. Despite its name, it was originally devised in England, not Germany. Thirteen cards are dealt to you and thirteen to your opponent. The remaining cards form the stock and are placed face down by the table. The top stock card is turned face up. This card defines the trump suit. The game starts with the non-dealer leading to the first trick; the other player then follows. If possible, players must follow the suit of the led card, otherwise they may discard or trump. The winner of the trick takes the top card from the stock, and the loser takes the next (unseen) card. This process continues until the stock has been depleted, whereupon "phase two" of the round is started.