In card and board gaming, “Trump” refers to a suit or category of cards that holds a special status, allowing it to have higher value or power than other suits or categories. The trump suit can change the dynamics of the game, as cards from this suit can beat cards from other suits, regardless of their nominal rank.

Here are some key points about “Trump” in card and board gaming:

1. Designation of the Trump: Before the game starts, players may determine a specific suit or category of cards to be the trump. This can be done through various methods, such as drawing a card from the deck or through bidding.
2. Hierarchy of Trump Cards: In games with a trump, cards from the trump suit are considered to have higher value than cards from other suits. This means a lower-ranking card from the trump suit can beat a higher-ranking card from a non-trump suit.
3. Winning Tricks with Trump Cards: When a player leads with a card from the trump suit, other players must play a card from the trump suit if they have one. The highest-ranking trump card in the trick wins.
4. Strategic Use of Trumps: Skilled players strategically employ their trump cards to gain an advantage in the game. They may choose to save their trump cards for crucial moments or use them to control the flow of the game.
5. Variations in Trump Rules: Different card games have varying rules regarding the trump suit. Some games have a fixed trump suit, while others allow players to declare a trump suit during the course of the game.
6. Board Games with Trump Mechanics: Some board games, especially trick-taking games like “Tichu” or “Wizard,” incorporate similar trump mechanics, where players play cards in a series of rounds, and a designated suit or category has special privileges.

Examples of card games with a trump suit include Euchre, Spades, and Bridge. The presence of a trump suit adds depth and complexity to these games, requiring players to carefully consider their card plays and tactics.