Standard Manni
Manni is a popular Icelandic trick-taking game for three players. The "Manni" (chap / little man) is the spare pile of cards dealt to the center that one player may exchange for their entire hand.
Objective
Win tricks to earn positive points while avoiding negative points. The match ends when at least one player reaches 10 positive points. The winner is whoever has the highest net score (positive minus negative).
Players and Deck
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Deck: 48 cards — a standard 52-card deck with the four 2s removed
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Ranking: Ace (high), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 (low)
The removed 2s traditionally mark the current trump suit. In this digital edition, trump is shown on the scoreboard.
Trump Rotation
Trump rotates each deal: Hearts → Spades → Diamonds → Clubs → Hearts…
The Deal
1.
One player deals 12 cards to each player (in packets of four). The first dealer rotates between games: Player 1 deals the first game, Player 2 the next, then Player 3.
2.
The remaining 12 cards go face-down in the center — this is the Manni.
Exchanging with the Manni
Starting with the player to the dealer's left and moving clockwise:
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You may take the Manni: discard your entire 12-card hand (out of play for this deal) and take the 12 Manni cards as your new hand.
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Or pass. Once anyone takes the Manni, no one else may.
If all three players pass, the Manni is set aside unseen and everyone keeps their dealt hand.
Play
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The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick (any card).
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Others must follow suit if able; otherwise any card (including trump) may be played.
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Highest trump wins the trick; if none, highest card of the led suit wins.
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Trick winner leads the next trick.
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There are 12 tricks per hand.
Scoring
Baseline is 4 tricks per player:
+1 positive point per trick over 4
+1 negative point per trick under 4
Examples: 6 tricks → +2 positive; 2 tricks → +2 negative.
Winning the Match
Play continues until someone has 10 or more positive points. Then each player's net score is positive − negative. Highest net wins (reaching 10 positive first does not guarantee victory if negatives are high).