Definition & Meaning of "Toepen"

What is "Toepen"?

Toepen is a card game that originated in the Netherlands and is popular in parts of Europe. It is typically played by two to six players using a 52-card deck. The goal of the game is to be the first to get rid of all one's cards. Players take turns playing cards in a central pile, with the cards needing to follow a specific order, either higher or lower than the previous card played. When a player is unable to play a valid card, they must take cards from the pile as a penalty. In the game, players can challenge each other by saying "toep" when they are close to winning, which means the next round will be decisive for them. This adds an element of strategy, as other players can block or prevent this challenge.