Jass

A Swiss jass master and I teamed up against my wife and an American, who were both rank beginners.

Jass is similar to bridge, though with completely different cards, and is a national obsession, for young and old alike.

When Nonna plays cards, she moves her teeth from side to side. It makes a bit of a racket. It distracts the other jass players – that's why Nonna's so good at jass.

“Yet I've noticed the same thing when your band plays—the most amazing social coherence, as if you all shared the same brain.” “Sure,” agreed “Dope,” “but you can't call that organization.” “What do you call it?” “Jass.”