1 – Characteristics

Number of players: 4
Number of cards: 32 (8 per player)
Direction of the game: Clockwise
Team game: Players form 2 teams, North-South and East-West.

Value and order of the cards:

Value and order of the cards

Aim of the game:

  • The betting team must score a minimum of 82 points to fulfill a contract (without Belote-Rebelote)
  • The first team to reach a minimum of 501 points wins the game. If both teams collect over 501 points, then the team with the highest score wins.     
Note: If a player receives the Queen and King in the trump suit, then this is called “Belote-Rebelote”.
 

2 - Dealing

In the first round, the dealer is selected at random. The player to their left deals the next round and so on.

The cards are dealt clockwise, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Please note that if all players pass at the start of a round, the player to the left of the dealer will become the dealer and the player on his left will be the 1st to talk.

5 cards are dealt to each player. Then the next card is dealt face up and placed at the center of the table, it's called "la retourne". When the "retourne" is taken, its color becomes that of the trump for the duration of the round. The rest of the cards are dealt so that everyone has 8 cards in their hand.

3 - Contract

The player to the left of the dealer is the first to announce. They must decide whether they take("prendre"), or pass ("passer").

If a player “takes”, this assumes they can score 82 points or more based on the cards in their hand, the face-up card (which defines the trump suit in the first round and is a base for the contract), and the 2 additional cards they received (a total of 8 cards).

If a player decides to pass, then the player to their left has the option to take or pass.

If all players pass on their first turn, a new turn begins and each player may select a card of any suit, also different from the trump suit (different to the face-up card), or can pass.

Note that if all players pass in the second betting round, the deal is over. The player to the left of the dealer becomes the new dealer and the cards are redistributed.

4 - Tricks

The game consists of a total of 8 tricks, during which, each player may play one card only.

The player to the left of the dealer starts, and then the game is played clockwise. The player who wins the trick will start the next round and so on.

The starting player can choose to play any of their cards, while the following players must follow these rules:

  • Play a card of the same suit, if possible (the suit defined by the first card played)
  • If playing the same suit is not possible, the player must play a trump (if possible)  
  • If the partner of the player is leading the trick(highest card on the table), and the player does not have a card of the required suit, they may play any other card (other than a trump)   
  • If not, any card can be played
  • If the player must play a trump, then they must always play a higher trump than the ones already on the table (if possible)
The player with the highest card wins the trick. Trumps are always higher than other suits.
 

5 - Score Calculation

A score is calculated for each team. The point value of each won card per team is added up. The last trick receives an additional 10 points (called "10 de der").

The total value of the 32 cards is always 152 points. Adding the “10 de der” makes the total of 162 points.

The round contract is fulfilled once the betting team scores a minimum of 82 points(without Belote-Rebelote). In such cases, both teams scored a point total comprised of the tricks they won, plus a possible 20 points for Belote-Rebelote.

Note:

  • If a team announces Belote-Rebelote, then the minimum score to reach for the betting team is 92 points.
  • it is essential to achieve a minimum of 82 points to win a belote round. If the minimum 82 points are not achieved, you failed your contract.
  • in a dispute or "litige"(81 points for each team), the betting team achieving only 81 points is considered the loser since the contract is not fulfilled.
  • if the two teams are tied (the total score of the game is identical), the team which wins the last round is then designated as the winner of the game.

If a team wins all the tricks (“Capot”), they score 252 points (the “10 de der” is then worth 100 points instead of 10).

If the contract is not fulfilled, then the betting team scores 0 points plus a possible 20 points for Belote-Rebelote. The other team scores 162 points and also a possible 20 points for Belote-Rebelote.

Now it's time to practice!


Have fun on Belote.com!