Do You Play Preferans?

            Preferans (Fr. préférence – preference) is a trick-taking card game, with three players and 32 cards (from 7s to aces). There can be a fourth player as well, but then a player is excluded each turn. Theoretically, five players could play as well, but this is rarely done.

            The origin of Preferans cannot be conclusively determined. In spite of the French roots of the game’s terminology and the game’s name itself, which comes from 1802, it is more likely that Preferans originated among the Russian nobility of the mid-nineteenth century. According to some sources, it was Kosta Cukić who brought Preferans to Serbia in 1848. Even today the “Cukić Rules” are often mention, although mostly in jest, and refer to certain principles of bidding and other rules of the game. These rules are neither in line with the principles of probability which are upheld in the game, nor can it be said with certainty that Cukić was the first to lay them out.

            It is very easy learn the rules of Preferans and to start dealing cards. However, it is fairly difficult to become a decent, not to mention a good Preferans player. Dr. Dragoš M. Cvetković was the first to present the mathematical basis and explain the logic which is applied in playing the game in his book, Entertaining Mathematics – Preferans (Zanimljiva Matematika – Preferans), which is well-regarded among Preferans players. Of course, there is also a psychological side to the game, as there is in many other card games. This game, with its complexity and large number of possible combinations, develops the player’s capacity for analytic thinking and logical approaches to problems.

            The behaviour of players is very interesting throughout the game. Preferans is a “gentleman’s game” which requires respect for your opponent and proper game etiquette. When all of this is present, it is a great pleasure to play the game. But when these elements are missing… the same cannot be said.

            Today there is an increasing number of websites on which you can play Preferans. To name only a few, there is iPref, DamaHerc, ProfiPreferans, Ultimate Preferans, and many others. Some have fees while others have free gameplay. Some are very high quality and have judges and/or administrators who are present during gameplay.

            Preferans is a very popular game in the regions of the former Yugoslavia. It is estimated that it is played by over 2 million people. Preferans is also played in Russia, although the rules there are significantly different from those used in the Balkans. Over time, an interconnected community of Preferans players has formed in Serbia. Meetings and competitions began to be organized as official events. Unfortunately, there is no unified Preferans organization in Serbia. Currently there exists the Preferans Alliance of Serbia and the Alliance of Preferans Player’s Clubs in Vojvodina (Preferans savez Srbije and Savez klubova igrača preferansa Vojvodine).

            Preferans began to be played much more intensely in Toronto after the large wave of immigrants that came throughout the 1990s. Back then, Preferans was played in homes and private organizations until one group of enthusiasts decided to unite with other players in Toronto and its surrounding area, organizing larger Preferans competitions. That is how the Preferans League of Toronto was formed in 2004 (Preferans liga Toronta). Currently they are preparing for their 14^th season. In 2012, the Toronto Open Championship of Preferans was also started (Otvoreno prvenstvo Toronta u preferansu). These two leagues do not try to compete against each other. Some players prefer the kind of competition offered by one, some prefer the other. Of course, some players participate in both leagues.

            We are not sure how many North American cities have organized Preferans games. We believe that games are held in private houses in each city that has a significant number of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia. We certainly know that there are organized games in the U.S., in Washington. That city’s club has a very well-organized website with local announcements, game results, and many other Preferans-related items of interest. Their website is www.preferansklub.com.

            The future of Preferans in Toronto, however, is not bright. All players in Toronto came here already knowing the game, with many of them in their “golden years.” The game has not drawn any younger followers in Toronto. The Preferans League of Toronto and the Toronto Open Championship of Preferans wish to invite all players, young and old, to join them. Their contact information is:

Preferans League of Toronto: http://www.preferans.org/         preferansliga@gmail.com

Toronto Open Championship of Preferans: dknezevic7884@yahoo.ca