Bonaken is a game of cards that is played in pubs, at the bar. The purpose of the game is to determine a loser, who subsequently has to buy a round. Bonaken is played with 32 cards out of a deck: 2 to 6 and the joker are not used. The number of players can range from two to maximum seven per game. This also increases or decreases the number of cards that is given to each player and of the cards that are out of play (sleeping). The further rules differ per region of the country, or sometimes per place. For a long time the rules were passed on during the game, from player to player, from old to young, while playing at the bar. The fact that in this game cards sleep and lay blind (upside-down on the table), in combination with the deliberations of the players in order to bid, to take tricks, to play safely or not, makes the progression of the game unpredictable: a game can end very quickly or take half an hour. There is much laughter, because the game regularly takes a different course from what everyone thinks. This causes amusement and connection between the players and is therefore also a pleasure to watch. At the same time it is not easy to learn the game. Players must learn it in practice, even if they have studied the rules online. In the province of Overijssel bonaken is known as kleintje klaverjassen, meaning that it a ‘smaller version’ of another card game, klaverjassen, which takes a lot longer. Bonaken is often played after a game of klaverjassen.
