According to Gööck, new players quickly realise that there is quite a lot to it and only those who stay alert get opportunities to score.

The game is named after a bonus for holding its three top cards: the Ten, Nine, and Ace of one suit.

[1] Pollack appeared in Germany as a "new game" in the 1850s and quickly became popular in "public places", especially in Berlin.

[2] However, its scoring system is identical with that of the Italian game of Tresette, albeit the latter is played with 40, rather than 32, cards.

This French Canadian variant has the alternative names of La Politaine, which recalls 'Napolitaine', the top scoring combination in Tresette.

The dealer then shuffles, offers the pack to his right for cutting and deals each player 8 cards, in clockwise order, in packets of 3, 3 and 2.

The following announcements and bonus points are recognised:[2] Trick play is clockwise beginning with forehand.