Each round of Rook will be played according to these House Rules:
- Use cards 5-14 and 1 of each color, and the Rook
- The 1 is the high card of each color
- The Rook is always trump and catches everything
- Each hand has 200 points (Rook & 1's = 20, 14's & 10's = 10, 5's = 5)
- Minimum bid is 100; but no one must bid; if all pass, deal again
- No "holding"; each player must bid or pass
- Bidder must call trump; his partner cannot at any price
- Each player is dealt 10 cards; 5 go in the kitty with the top card turned up
- No points in your hand and none showing on the kitty is a misdeal
- Catcher of the last trick wins the points discarded in the widow
- "Shooting the Moon" has no meaning in the tournament