Forty-One (Färbeln): A Classic Austrian Poker-like Card Game
Forty-One is a gambling card game partially similar to Poker. The game originates from Styria, Austria, and was played in the territories of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. A mention of "Ferbl" can be found, for example, in Czech writer Jaroslav Hašek's novel about The Good Soldier Švejk. The Czech name of the game, Ferbl, is derived from the German word Färbeln (coloring).
Introduction
Forty-One, also known as Färbeln in German-speaking countries or Ferbl in Czechia (bordering with Germany and Austria), is a gambling card game that originated in Styria, Austria. This Poker-like game has several names in German, including Einundvierzig (Forty-One), Spitz, Zwei auf – zwei zu (Two Up - Two Down), and Zwicken (Pinching). The name Forty-One refers to the highest possible scoring total in the game, which is 41 points. You can certainly find Färbeln in Austrian casinos.
How to Play Forty-One (Färbeln)?
Forty-One is designed for 3 to 7 players. It is played with a deck of 32 cards, which starts with the seven and ends with the ace in four suits. It is referred to as German, French, or Mariasch cards.
We mentioned that cards in Forty-One have point values – sevens through tens have their numerical value, face cards are worth 10 points, and aces are worth 11 points, as shown in the following diagram:
| 7–10 points | |
| 10 points | |
| 11 points |
During the game, each player is dealt (up to) four cards, always face down, i.e., hidden from the sight of opponents. First two cards and then, when the player decides to continue betting, another two cards. The goal of Forty-One (Färbeln) is to obtain the strongest possible card combination and/or, similar to Poker, to outsmart or bluff opponents.
Card Combinations in Forty-One (Färbeln)
The card combinations in Forty-One (Färbeln) from strongest to weakest are captured in the following table. The points that were mentioned play their role, but may not be decisive. The strongest card combination is four cards of the same rank, for example, four aces, which are the absolutely strongest combination in Forty-One (Färbeln), followed by four kings, etc. Let us add that in Poker, the game is played with five cards and that a four-of-a-kind is only the third strongest combination. Other Forty-One (Färbeln) combinations and their strength are listed in the table.
| Rank | Combination | Example 1 | Example 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Four of a kind | ||
| 2. | Four cards of the same suit (flush) | ||
| 3. | Three of a kind | ||
| 4. | Three cards of the same suit | ||
| 5. | Points |
Strength and Overpowering of Combinations
- Four of a kind.
The strongest are four aces, followed by four kings, etc. - Four cards of the same suit (flush).
If two players have a flush, their (higher) point value decides. The strongest total is 41 (hence the alternative name of the game in German-speaking countries): J, Q, K at 10 points each and an ace for 11 points. - Three of a kind.
The strongest are three aces, followed by three kings, etc. The fourth card is insignificant. - Three cards of the same suit.
If two players have three cards of the same suit, the higher sum of points of the three cards decides. The fourth card plays no role. - Points.
If no one has any of the above card combinations, the sum of points of cards of the same rank or in the same (one) suit decides. For example, if a player has the Ace of Hearts, Eight of Hearts, Eight of Clubs and Seven of Spades – see Example 1 in the table – they can consider either two eights (cards of the same rank) and achieve a total of 16 points, or the Ace of Hearts and Eight of Hearts (cards of the same suit) and achieve a total of 19 points. The player will logically choose the higher one.
If two players in Forty-One (Färbeln) have the same strong card combination, the leader wins, or the player sitting closer to them (the leader no longer has to be in the game because they discarded the cards, i.e., did not continue betting). The following chapter discusses the role of the leader and its alternation between players.
Game Procedure, Betting
Mandatory Bets (Ante)
At the beginning of the game, each player puts a mandatory bet (the so-called ante) into the pot, for example, 2 euros. In addition, the leader bets the lower limit of the bets (e.g., the bet limit is 5/10 euros), i.e., 5 euros. They can also discard their cards, and then this right/obligation passes to the next player in order.
The leader is the player sitting to the left of the dealer (closest). The players take turns in the role of leader (and shuffling) clockwise after each round. In casinos, the cards in Forty-One (Färbeln) are always dealt by the croupier, and therefore places a marker in the shape of a triangle in front of the leader, also referred to as the Spitze (tip). This is similar to the button in Texas Hold’em Poker.
First Round of Betting
Each player initially receives only two cards face down and decides what to do next. The player to the left of the leader speaks first. It always applies (similarly to poker) that a player who wants to continue in the game must match the bets of the previous players or fold the cards. Each player can only increase the bet by the lower limit and in one round the bets can be increased a maximum of three times.
Second Round of Betting
All players who continue in the game receive another two cards face down (again hidden from the sight of opponents). Once the players have reviewed their card combination, they decide which two of their four cards they will place in front of them on the table and turn them face up (visibly). Then follows the second round of betting in the same spirit as in the first round.
Game Evaluation, Determining the Winner (Showdown)
If each player only matches the bet (no one raises) or it is no longer possible to raise the bets (according to the rules it can be done a maximum of three times in one round), the game is evaluated, for which the English term showdown is also used in poker. Each player turns over their cards and the croupier evaluates the strongest Forty-One (Färbeln) combination and determines the winner of the round and thus the money placed in the pot.
If only one player remains in the game, because the other players have folded their cards, they become the winner and do not have to reveal their cards.
The casino, operator or facilitator of the game, similar to Poker, charges a fee (commission, rake) of 5% of the money bet into the pot.
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Based on the original Czech article: Ferbl – pravidla staré karetní hry podobné pokeru.