Belote rules: the essentials
Belote is played by 4 players in two teams, with 32 cards. Here are the essential rules, then what sets it apart from coinche.
How a deal unfolds
The 32 cards are dealt and one card is turned up to propose the trump. In turn, each player chooses to take (accept that trump) or pass. If everyone passes on the first round, a second round lets a player take in another suit. The taker then plays to win more than half the points of the deal.
How tricks are played
- You must follow suit if you can.
- Without that suit, you generally must ruff with trump (and overtrump an already-played trump).
- The trick goes to the highest card of the led suit, or the highest trump if it was ruffed.
The difference with coinche
Classic belote stops at the take/pass choice on the turned-up trump. Coinche (contract belote) replaces this with real numbered bidding (80, 90, 100... up to capot) and adds the option to double (coincher) the opponent. The cards, their order and their values do not change.
To compare in detail, see coinche vs classic belote and the coinche rules.
See also
FAQ
How is trump chosen in classic belote?
A card is turned up; in turn each player can take that suit as trump or pass. If all pass, a second round lets a player choose another suit.
What is the difference between belote and coinche?
Coinche replaces the simple take/pass with numbered bidding (80 up to capot) and lets you double the opponent. The card game itself is identical.
How many players for belote?
Classic belote is played by 4 players in two teams of two, partners sitting opposite each other.