A Tresette Opening

		Player One
due di coppe	asso di spade		asso di denari	cavallo di bastoni
re di coppe	re di spade		re di denari
cavallo di coppe	cavallo di spade		cavallo di denari
		Player Two
asso di coppe	fante di spade		fante di denari	asso di bastoni
fante di coppe	quarto di spade		cinque di denari	re di bastoni
quarto di coppe				fante di bastoni
				cinque di bastoni

Player One has the Ace of Swords (il asso di spade). Player Two does not have the 3 of Swords or the 2 of Swords. Therefore given that in Tresette a player must follow suit if he can, Player One can play his Ace of Swords. Player Two is likely to play his 5 of Swords and so Player One will pick up 1 point (or quattro figura).

Player One would get to pick first (from the deck) and lead the next hand. Assuming Player Two does not draw the 2 or 3 of Coins / denari (the 2 or 3 of Diamonds in a standard deck) then Player One could play his Ace of Coins (il asso di denari). Player Two would likely respond with his 5 of Coins (his cinque di denari). Player One picks up another point.

If Player One were to lead with his cavallo di bastoni (the Queen of Clubs in your standard deck) Player Two would be free to play his asso di bastoni (his Ace of Clubs).

If Player One were to lead with his 2 of Cups, his due di coppe (the 2 of Hearts in your standard deck) Player Two would likely play his quattro di coppe. Player One will only win 1/3 of a point and unless he were to draw the tre di coppe, Player Two is very likely to hold on to il asso di coppe (the Ace of Hearts) and pick up 1 point.

If Player 2 went first he could play his asso di bastoni (the ace of clubs in your standard deck). Player 1 is forced to play his cavallo di bastoni (the queen of clubs in your standard deck). Player 2 picks up
1 1/4 points (cinque figura) picks first and leads the next hand.

Player 2 has three bastoni remaining in his hand. The most powerful cards in the suit, the 3 and 2 are yet to be picked by either player and so, assuming Player 1 does not pick up either the 3 or 2 (after Player 2 has won the first hand and pick the top card from the deck) then Player 2 could lead the next hand with his king (his re di bastoni). Player 1 cannot follow suit and would be forced to play one of his other cards. As long as Player 1 cannot respond with a bastoni, Player 2 will control the game.

When you evaluate your hand you must look at the rank of every card in your hand and compare them to the cards your opponent has. You must consider how the control will shift, on a suit by suit basis, before you play a card. You must also consider what cards have yet to be dealt and if those outstanding cards would pose a threat to your cards should they fall into the hand of your opponent.

If you were Player Two and it was your lead, which card would you play?