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What trick targets do the players have in sergeant major whist?
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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 the three-handed whist variant known as sergeant major, players have specific trick targets they must reach during each deal. The targets are assigned as follows:
- Dealer: 8 tricks
- Eldest hand: 5 tricks
- Other player: 3 tricks
Each participant wins or loses one point or stake for every trick taken above or below their respective quota.1