Setback scoring
High, Low, Jack, and Game
Four names decide the hand. Game requires a second count, and the bid determines whether the bidder moves forward or gets set back.
The four scoring points
| Point | Who receives it at Big Mike Games |
|---|---|
| High | The team that captures the highest trump played. |
| Low | The team that captures the lowest trump played. |
| Jack | The team that captures the Jack of trump, if dealt. |
| Game | The team with the higher total Game value among its captured cards. |
Only 24 cards are dealt. High and Low therefore mean the highest and lowest trump actually in play. Jack awards nothing when the trump Jack is among the undealt cards.
How to calculate Game
| Captured rank | Game value |
|---|---|
| 10 | 10 |
| Ace | 4 |
| King | 3 |
| Queen | 2 |
| Jack | 1 |
| 9 through 2 | 0 |
Add these values across every card captured by each partnership. Higher total wins Game. A tie awards no Game point.
Sources: Pagat: Pitch / Setback; Umesh Shankar: The Rules of Setback; Hebron tournament Setback rules.
Example
Why the tens matter
Team A captures two 10s and a Queen: 10 + 10 + 2 = 22. Team B captures two Aces, a King, and a Jack: 4 + 4 + 3 + 1 = 12. Team A receives Game.
Made bid and setback examples
Bid 2, earn 3
The bidding team captures High, Low, and Game. It made the contract and adds all 3 points, not merely the 2 it bid.
Bid 3, earn 2
The bidding team is set and loses 3. Under the default rule, the defenders still add any points they earned.
Equal Game totals
If Game is tied, no Game point exists. The hand can therefore award fewer than four total points.
Some Pitch tables award Low to the team that was dealt the lowest trump, even if an opponent captures it. Big Mike's game and scorekeeper award Low to the capturing team.
Sources: Pagat: Pitch / Setback; Umesh Shankar: The Rules of Setback; Trickster Cards: Pitch rule options.
Quick answers
Setback scoring FAQ
What are the Game card values in Setback?
Each captured 10 counts 10, Ace 4, King 3, Queen 2, and Jack 1. Other ranks count zero toward Game.
What happens when Game is tied?
No team receives the Game point.
Does a bidder score points above the bid?
Yes at the Big Mike Games table. A team bidding 2 and earning 3 scores all 3 points.
What happens when the bidder is set?
The bidding team loses the amount bid. Defenders retain their earned points under the default rules.
Skip the arithmetic
Use the free Setback scorekeeper
Enter the point winners and captured Game cards. The tool applies the bid and match rules.