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How does Minnesota whist decide whether a hand is played high or low?
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whist
Men playing whist, watercolour on paper by Mary Ellen Best, c. mid-19th century; in the York Art Gallery, England.
In Minnesota whist, players determine whether a hand is played high (grand) or low (nullo) through a bidding process using bid cards. Each player selects a black card to bid high or a red card to bid low, placing their chosen card facedown on the table.
Once all players are ready, they turn their cards over in turn, starting with the eldest hand. The hand is played low only if all four players bid red. If any player reveals a black card, the hand is immediately fixed as high, and no further cards are turned.1