philebus
I'm glad to hear that ottocento is still being played. I like to think that the fact importers stock the cards suggests that it is getting noticed outside of Italy as well.
I wouldn't compare it to bridge as some have, it is played in partnerships like bridge but it is a much better game and not at all as complicated as some people say. Bridge is bogged down by that awful bidding system that leaves playing the hand a formality - not my idea of social or fun. Ottocento is the king of card games, being smart, sophisticated, and social.
I gathered from Michael Dummett's book that the Sicilian tarocchi is just about gone - though I think are are at least two manufacturers making the cards. It is a shame when good games go, I would hope that getting people to discover them outside of their home countries, they might be around a little longer.
Part of the problem is that the only books that list the games are either rare and/or very expensive, so very few of the people who might have been interested ever hear that the games exist.
It is nice to see an interest in the games from people who are otherwise more interested in the occult tarot - my fellow card players, I'm sorry to say, are often a little less accomodating to other uses of the cards than you are of theirs. I've read some very harsh words by some of them - talking of the 'true' use of tarot cards. An odd idea, as it is a little like saying that the 'true' use of the word "nice" is to call someone a simpleton (which is how the word used to be used) and that using it as a compliment now, is somehow incorrect. Athough I don't share many of the beliefs of members here, I personally don't see why both uses can't be accomodated, there needn't be conflict at all. It is a wonderful pack of cards with a very rich history, I wouldn't want to ignore any part of it.
I wouldn't compare it to bridge as some have, it is played in partnerships like bridge but it is a much better game and not at all as complicated as some people say. Bridge is bogged down by that awful bidding system that leaves playing the hand a formality - not my idea of social or fun. Ottocento is the king of card games, being smart, sophisticated, and social.
I gathered from Michael Dummett's book that the Sicilian tarocchi is just about gone - though I think are are at least two manufacturers making the cards. It is a shame when good games go, I would hope that getting people to discover them outside of their home countries, they might be around a little longer.
Part of the problem is that the only books that list the games are either rare and/or very expensive, so very few of the people who might have been interested ever hear that the games exist.
It is nice to see an interest in the games from people who are otherwise more interested in the occult tarot - my fellow card players, I'm sorry to say, are often a little less accomodating to other uses of the cards than you are of theirs. I've read some very harsh words by some of them - talking of the 'true' use of tarot cards. An odd idea, as it is a little like saying that the 'true' use of the word "nice" is to call someone a simpleton (which is how the word used to be used) and that using it as a compliment now, is somehow incorrect. Athough I don't share many of the beliefs of members here, I personally don't see why both uses can't be accomodated, there needn't be conflict at all. It is a wonderful pack of cards with a very rich history, I wouldn't want to ignore any part of it.
