Atout!
How to play Belote
Classic Belote, France's favourite card game, is played by four in two teams of two, partners facing each other, with a 32-card deck. Trumps are chosen from a card turned face up in the middle of the table.
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The deal and trumps
- Each player gets 5 cards, then the next card is turned face up.
- First round: starting left of the dealer, each player may take the turned card's suit as trumps, or pass.
- Second round: if everyone passed, each player may name another suit, or pass. If nobody takes, the cards are dealt again.
- The taker gets the turned card and 2 more cards; the others get 3. Everyone has 8 cards.
Declarations (variant)
At a table "with declarations", players show their combinations before the first trick: tierce (3 cards in a row) 20 points, cinquante (4) 50, cent (5 or more) 100; four Jacks 200, four 9s 150, four Aces, 10s, Kings or Queens 100. Only the team with the best declaration scores its own.
Card values
| Card | Trump | Other suits |
|---|---|---|
| Jack | 20 | 2 |
| 9 | 14 | 0 |
| Ace | 11 | 11 |
| 10 | 10 | 10 |
| King | 4 | 4 |
| Queen | 3 | 3 |
| 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | 0 | 0 |
In trumps, from strongest to weakest: Jack, 9, Ace, 10, King, Queen, 8, 7. In the other suits: Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, 7. The cards are worth 152 points in all; the last trick adds 10 (the "dix de der"), for 162.
Playing the cards
- You must follow the suit that was led.
- If you can't, you must trump, unless your partner is winning the trick: then you may play any card.
- When a trump has already been played in the trick, you must play a higher trump if you can.
- The trick goes to the highest card of the suit led, or to the highest trump. The winner leads the next trick.
In Atout!, the game only lets you play a card these rules allow, so you can't make a mistake.
Belote and rebelote
The player holding the trump King and Queen says "belote" when playing the first of them, then "rebelote" with the second: 20 points for their team. In Atout!, a BELOTE button appears on the card at the right moment.
Scoring
- The taking team needs at least 82 points (more than half), belote included.
- If it makes it, each team scores its own points.
- If it fails, the defenders score 162, plus their own belote.
- At 81 each, both teams keep their 81 points.
- Capot (every trick): 252 points.
The first team to 501 points wins the game.
Ready to play? Atout! is free, with no ads, right in your browser: with friends, players from around the world, or over 100 robots. A learning table with a coach guides your first games.
Frequently asked questions
How many points does the taker need in Belote?
The taking team needs at least 82 of the 162 points, belote included.
How much is a belote worth?
Belote and rebelote (the trump King and Queen) is worth 20 points.
Can I play Belote online for free?
Yes: at Atout!, Belote is free with no ads, in your browser, with friends or against robots.
The other games : Coinche rules · Belote for two (Duo)