Slovenian Tarok — Puzzle C4

You are seated later than the current bidder, and Two now stands. Your hand: Skus, XXI, XV, XII, VIII, K♠, Q♠, C♠, J♠, 4♥, 1♦, 7♣.

slovenian-tarok Puzzle #154

Do you climb, and if so, to what?

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Answer

Climb to Solo three. Skus and the Moon carry the trula’s two biggest honours, five Taroks give you the trump control to run a hand alone, and a complete King-Queen-Cavall-Jack Spade run banks 5+4+3+2 = 14 Card Points by itself; add the two honours’ 10 and the three loose pips (4♥, 1♦, 7♣) and this hand already sits on 27 of the 36 you need before a single trick is played. Solo three prices higher than One and this hand can pay for it without a called partner: don’t share the harvest, or the price, with anyone.