The Probert Encyclopaedia of Recreation

L'HOMBRE

L'Hombre is a card game that was developed in Spain in the early 17th century, as a variation of an earlier four player game, also called Hombre. The three player version, which in Spain was originally called Hombre Renegado spread rapidly across Europe and during the 17th and 18th centuries became the premier card game, occupying a position of prestige similar to Bridge today. It was variously known as Hombre, Ombre or L'Hombre, and over the years it acquired many variations, of increasing complexity. Its popularity was eclipsed in the late 18th century by a new four player variant Quadrille, which was in turn displaced by Whist, Boston and eventually Bridge. Although L'Hombre died out in other parts of Europe, it remained popular in Denmark right up to the 20th century, and is still played there today. The game is organized with a L'Hombre union in Jutland, the western part of Denmark.

L'Hombre was one of the first games to introduce bidding, through which one player becomes the declarer, trying to make a contract, with the other players co-operating to prevent him. The declarer was originally called Hombre (i.e. the man). It was from L'Hombre that the idea of bidding was adopted into other card games such as Tarot, Skat and Boston.
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