Allowed by some house rules, an inkle is sometimes used in the game 500. After everyone gets their cards, each player goes around the table to make a bet. An inkle is used before an actual bet is made.
For instance, if I have numerous low hearts, plus one high one. plus the left bauer, I may say that I “Inkle Hearts”.
This indicates to my partner, who can’t see my cards and is sitting on the opposite side of the table, that I have a strong hearts hand, either I have a couple high cards, but not enough to make a bet (well, a bet that is not ridiculous or a long shot, which sometimes get made), or that I am long.
The result is that my partner, also holding a decent heart hand, will have the courage to make a bet. If my partner has a decent diamond hand, he or she may make a bet, thinking that I have the right or left bauer. Even by taking just a little action, it’s way better than everyone passing.
An inkle is a way to wink to your partner and to indicate your interest. It’s totally up to them to decide is they want to play on that information, and a lot of time, it just depends on the luck of the deal. It’s all about subtleties and a little indirect communication.
