In a Thrash game, the four players play as individuals. The goal is to take as few points as possible. Thrash is meant to be a sort of punishment for not bidding meted out to the player with the best hand. The word "trischaken" is Viennese dialect for beating up or thrashing.
This negative game can be played by the forehand player only. Winners and losers are determined differently depending on the following game option:
- The option "Players with maximum score in Thrash game must pay the others" is selected:
The maximum score determines the sole loser. Only if two players have the same score, two losers share the bill.
- The winners each receive a game score from the loser as long as each player has a trick.
- Each player who did not make a trick gets three times the game score from the loser.
- If the loser's score exceeds a adjustable value, he becomes "mayor" and he must pay double the game score to every other player as long as each player has a trick. If one or more players do not have a trick, he must pay to them a total of six times the game score.
- If the loser has the forehand position, he must pay double the game score to the others. If the loser is also "mayor" he pays four times the game score. If a player has not made a trick, this rule is not used.
- If the loser has made all tricks, he must pay double the game score to the others. If the loser is also the "mayor", he must pay four times the game score, in the forehand position even eight times the game score. If a player has not made a trick, this rule is not used.
- The option "Players with maximum score in Thrash game must pay the others" is not selected:
The two players with the higher score are the losers and must pay the others, unless one or more players did not make a trick.
- If one player does not have a trick, the other three must pay the game score to him. If several players do not have a trick, each gets three times the game score.
- If a player's score exceeds a adjustable value, he becomes "mayor" and he must pay every other player the game score as long as each player has a trick. If one or more players do not have a trick, he must pay triple the game score to each of them.
- Otherwise, each of the players with the two highest score must pay one of the two other players one game score.
- If two players have the same score and that score is not the highest nor the lowest, they do not need to pay each other.
From the Talon pile, one card is imposed top down on each of the first six tricks.
As forehand player, you are not forced to take any risk. If your hand cards are not sufficient for a
Caller, you should play Thrash. Only if you have a very good negative game, you should prefer this to the Thrash game.