This game is played, under various names around central and Eastern Europe. This is one variation that most closely resembles the lorum played in Hungary. Traditionally, a 32-card German or Hungarian (William Tell) deck is used, but this page will use a typical French-suited deck.
Deal out all the cards, two at a time.
This game consists of eight different contracts, each with their own rules. Generally, this is a trick-taking game where the player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if they can (but they do not have to win), otherwise they can play any card. The highest card in the leading suit wins the trick, as there are no trumps. The player that took the last trick leads the next.
Each of the eight contracts are played four times in a full game, though this can be shortened. Choose a player to be the first dealer. The deal then proceeds clockwise in each contract. At the start of the next eight contracts, the next player begins as the first dealer. The dealer chooses which contract they would like to play after seeing their hand. Any contract may be chosen, no contract may be repeated in a round and Lorum must be last.
Each contract scores differently, but all points are penalty points so the player with the fewest points at the end of the game wins. It is possible to go negative.
Each heart taken is 1 point, unless a player takes all the hearts, then they get plus 8. A heart may not be led on the first trick unless that is all the player has.
Each queen taken is 2 points. A queen may not be led in the first trick, nor can a queen be played unless the queen is a singleton in the leading suit.
Each trick taken is worth 1 point.