Barrel

It is not possible to have a cumulative score between 880 and 1000. If a player whose score was previously below 880 scores enough points to take it to 880 or more (but less than 1000), the player’s score becomes 880 and a symbol of barrel is drawn (to show that the player is “on the barrel”). If you are on the barrel, you have three chances to become the talon winner and to get a score of at least 120 points on a hand to win the game. You cannot stay on the barrel for more than three consecutive hands – if you fail to win on the third hand, you fall off the barrel and lose 120 points. So the possibilities for a player on a barrel are as follows:

• If you are the talon winner and score at least 120 points on a hand, you win the game.
• If you are the talon winner and fail to win, then the amount of your bid is not subtracted from your score.
• If you are not the talon winner, then any points that you make do not count for you – even if you take 120 or more you do not win.
• If this is your first or second hand on the barrel, then your cumulative score stays at 880 and you are still on the barrel. But if this is your third consecutive hand on the barrel, you are fined 120 points and are off the barrel – your score is therefore reduced from 880 to 760 points.

It is not possible to win without first being on the barrel.