Coinche with three players

With three players you can't form two pairs of two. You switch to cutthroat play or a "dummy hand" system, two conventions with no official scoring.

The team problem

Coinche is built for four players in two pairs. With three, either everyone plays for themselves, or the taker faces the other two allied against them for one deal. These are table arrangements, not recognised rules.

Cutthroat format

Deal the 32 cards into three hands of ten, plus two cards set aside (a mini-stock) or an unplayed "dummy" hand. Whoever takes plays alone against the other two. The standard scoring can serve as a base, but since the deal isn't symmetric, many tables adjust the taker's points.

Dummy-hand format

A fourth dummy hand is laid down face up or down and belongs to the taker, who combines it with their own hand. This brings the game closer to a real 2-against-2, but the dummy's advantage should be offset by a higher points target, to be agreed together.

See also

FAQ

How do you make teams with 3 players?

You can't form two balanced pairs with three. So you play cutthroat, or the taker plays alone against the other two, sometimes helped by a dummy hand. These are conventions to set before the game.

Does scoring change with 3 players?

Standard scoring serves as a base, but since the deal isn't symmetric, many tables adjust the taker's target. Agree on it before playing.