Jeux de hocs

History

Types of hoc

• End-of-run hoc. The end-of-run hoc is the highest card in a run, typically a King. It completes the row of cards. The player playing it calls "hoc!" and starts a new sequence with a card of his choice.
• Incidental hoc. An incidental hoc is one that occurs because the next card in the sequence is not held by any player, e.g. because it is concealed within the talon or stock of cards left face down on the table. The player of the last card of the run calls "hoc!" and starts a new sequence as before.
• Permanent hoc. Within a particular game, certain cards may be designated as permanent hocs, for example, the Q, J and 10 in Nain Jaune. When such a card is played, the player announces "hoc!" and begins a new sequence.
• Chief Hoc. In some games a 'Chief Hoc' is designated. This has special powers: it may be used as a wild card in place of any other card in the pack and the holder may be allowed to withhold it even if it is the next card of a sequence. In Nain Jaune, the 7 is the Chief Hoc; in Hoc Mazarin there are six chief hocs.

  Literature

• Parlett, David. A History of Card Games, OUP, Oxford.