There is More to Klaverjass than Meets the Eye

In many of the well known timeless games like Klaverjass, there exists a trait overlooked and unseen by the naked eye. Although people hardly ever notice it, this particular trait is what fosters camaraderie among players and it is what keeps the game alive through the years and throughout history. Though it sounds like a cliché ripped straight off a Japanese manga, game spirit takes a much more profound persona in traditional games than what is portrayed in comics made by the Japanese.

By taking a look at the card game Klaverjassen one can find the real meaning behind the concept of game spirit. In Klaverjassen’s case, Being a fun and interactive game wasn’t the only thing that allowed it to sustain its reputation as one of the best card games invented by the Dutch. As a matter of fact, there have been over hundreds of games that were deemed as fun and interactive during their time but most of them didn’t even make it pass the 20th Century. However, unlike Klaverjassen, these games lacked game spirit. Meaning, they didn’t teach players anything enriching and important at all.

Among the veterans of Klaverjassen many have agreed that Klaverjass made them into a better person. Not in the shallow sense that the game made them better players adept at winning games with ease but in the sense that they were able to enrich their spirits in an unconventional manner. At first, not only did the game teach them the meaning of humility, hard work and diligence but later on also taught them how to win graciously and more importantly taught them to see other people as equals, not in skill or ability but in character, spirit and identity. When looking at things in this perspective, one can truly see that there is something more to games than simply winning.

Sadly, everything revolves upon winning and earning money these days and as a result people usually play to win. However, playing games with that kind of attitude only diminishes a game’s true worth to one’s character and spirit. People have forgotten that there is more to life than just winning and getting rich. This should not be the case, for such outlooks only collects empty victories. Not only does this perspective tarnish the human soul but also destroys human character. People should look to games like Klaverjassen with respect and treat the game as a means to becoming a better person.

Jan Kaas is specialized in writing about klaverjassen and online klaverjassen.