Belote is a very popular card game in France and other European countries. It is usually played with 4 players in pairs, although there are also modes for 2 and 3 players. 32-cards deck.
Other kinds of the game are: Coinche, Contrée, Belote without declarations.
Other games with similar rules: Tute, Briscola, Guiñote, Jass, Klaverjassen, Baloot, Pilotta.
Available game modes:
- Classic Belote in pairs with declarations.
- Belote Coinchée in pairs.
Value of the cards
| Cards | A | 10 | R | D | V | 9 | 8 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | +11 | +10 | +4 | +3 | +2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The valet and the nine change their value if they are in the trump suit.
| Cards | V | 9 | A | 10 | R | D | 8 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points | +20 | +14 | +11 | +10 | +4 | +3 | 0 | 0 |
How to play Belote
The goal of Belote is to win 501 points before the rival team.
Trump suit (contract)
At the beginning of each round, 5 cards are dealt to each player and one card is placed face up on the table.
At this stage, players must choose a trump suit. This suit beats any other suit and is key to winning the game.
- Taking turns, players can “take” the card on the table to choose the trump suit or pass.
- If all players pass, a second round is started to choose any other trump suit.
- If no one chooses a suit, it will be shuffled again and another round will begin.
Once the trump suit is settled, more cards are dealt until all players have 8.
According to the contract, the pair that chose the trump suit must win. Otherwise, all their points will go to the rival pair.
Game play
The hand player starts the game with a card. The following players must respond with another card according to the following rules:
If it’s a trump card:
- A trump card higher than any other on the table.
- Any other trump card.
- Any other card.
If it is not a trump card:
- A card of the same suit.
- A trump card higher than any other on the table.
- Any other card.
If your partner is going to win, you are not required to play a higher value trump.
The player who played the strongest trump card, or in the absence of trump cards, of the starting suit, wins the trick (the 4 cards on the table). This player will start playing in the next hand.
The round continues until all players run out of cards.
Declarations
Declarations are particular combinations of cards held in players' hands and gives extra points. Declarations are made automatically on the player’s first turn of a round. Only the team with the highest combination will score points.
| Declaration | Description | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Carré | 4 jacks | 200 points |
| Carré | 4 nines | 150 points |
| Carré | 4 tens, 4 queens, 4 kings or 4 aces | 100 points |
| Quinte | Sequence of the same suit (5 cards) | 100 points |
| Quarte | Sequence of the same suit (4 cards) | 50 points |
| Tierce | Sequence of the same suit (3 cards) | 20 points |
Straight flushes are formed: 7 8 9 10 V D R A
Belote and Rebelote
The “belote” is a declaration formed by the king and queen of the trump suit and is worth 20 points. It is announced when the king (belote) and the queen (rebelote) are played.
Last ten
The last trick of each round is worth 10 extra points.
Capote
If a pair wins all 8 tricks of a round, they get 90 extra points, which will be added to the “last ten” (in total 100).
Count up points
At the end of each round the contract is resolved:
- If the team that chose the trump suit scores more points than their opponents, each team will collect its own points as usual.
- But if that team gets a lower score, all its points will go to the other team (except for Belote and Rebelote points).
Litige
In case of tie, the team that chose the trump does not score points and they will be reserved for the winner of the next round.
Experience points and ranking
You already know the rules of Belote. Now play to get experience points , level up and get better in the ranking.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Play a game | 15 |
| Win a game | 25 |
| Win a round | 2 |
| Win a hand | 1 |
Players who leave the game will not score any points.
Get extra coins and experience by completing game challenges.