Toepen (/ˈtupə(n)/) is a trick-taking Dutch card game for three to eight players, and is often played as a drinking game. Typically the number of players is 4. Gameplay Every player is dealt 4 cards from a 32 card deck. The cards are played one at a time face up in tricks. The first card played in a trick determines the suit for that trick. A player must follow suit to win. The goal is to win the last trick. The order of the cards is 10(high), 9, 8, 7, A, K, Q, J. All of the players excluding the winner of the fourth and final trick receives a point. A player may toep or increase the number of points at stake during a round at any time during play. Each toep increases the point value of the round by one. A toep is usually signified by a knock on the playing surface. Upon toeping the opposing players may either fold and receive the previous point total or risk receiving the new increased total by remaining in the round. Once a player reaches a certain number of points he or she is eliminated. The maximum number of points is typically 10 or 15, depending on the price of beverages. The winner of the round (so the winner of the last trick) has to deal in the next round and the player on the left of the dealer can start the first trick of the next round. The winner of a trick can start the next trick in the same round. A special action comes across when a player is one point short of the maximum and is in pelt (poverty). In order to protect this player, the player on pelt can always start the round, independent of the dealer. Thereby all other players have to decide whether they want to play the round for 2 points or leave (before one card is played) for 1 point. Deal and exchange Toepen is usually played as a drinking game, but can also be played with chips or directly with money. Each player receives four cards. The remainder of the pack is left face down in the middle of the table. Then any player whose hand consists entirely of As, Ks, Qs and Js may discard his hand face downward and deal himself/herself a new one. Indeed, any player may discard their hand