Penneech

Penneech or Peneech, sometimes called Penicth,[1] is an unusual historical English card game for two players played with hands of seven cards. The unique feature of this game is that the trump suit changes with each trick.[2] Parlett describes it as a "jolly little two-hander".[3]

Penneech
The Penneech
OriginEngland
Typeplain-trick game
Players2
Cards52
DeckEnglish pattern, French-suited
PlayAlternate
Playing time12-15 min.
Unique feature: trumps change with each trick

History

Penneech was first described by Charles Cotton in the 1674 and first edition of The Compleat Gamester,[4] and repeated in all subsequent editions until 1754. There are no other descriptions of the game, although it is mentioned in passing by Holme in 1688[5] and described as "a game formerly in use" in 1822.[6] It is alluded to in Pepys Ballads, II, 98 (1625-1640).[1]

Cards

A standard 52-card pack of English pattern, French-suited cards is used with Aces ranking high.[3]

Play

The following is a description based on Cotton's rules, supplemented by Parlett:[4][3]

Players cut for the first deal, the lower card winning (Aces low for this purpose).[3] The dealer deals 7 cards each, individually, and turns the next for trumps,[4] placing the rest face down as the stock. A player with no Aces nor face cards may throw in his cards for a fresh deal.[4] Elder hand leads to the first trick.[3] Players must follow suit if able; otherwise may play any card.[3] The trick winner turns the next card of the stock for trumps[4] and leads to the next trick.[3]

Players score for cards won in tricks and for turning a counter as trumps. An Ace is worth 5 points, a King 4, a Queen 3 and a Knave 2. The ♦7, called Penneech, is the highest card when Diamonds are trumps and is worth 14 points when turned or 7 points in the hand.[4] If diamonds are not trumps it has no scoring value, but still ranks as the highest diamond. Players also score 1 point per card taken in excess of seven. Game is 61 points.[4]

Having tested the game extensively Parlett recommends using a cribbage board for scoring.[3]

References
  1. 1947 & Western Folklore, p. 151.
  2. Penneech at merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  3. Penneech at parlettgames.uk. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  4. Cotton 1674, pp. 148/149.
  5. Holme 1688.
  6. Nares 1822, p. 371.

Bibliography
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