Contract belote: rules, scoring and how to play
Contract belote and coinche are exactly the same game: two names for one set of rules. If you searched for contract belote, you are in the right place.
Contract belote = coinche: one game, two names
Many players say « belote contrée » (contract belote), others say « coinche », and some just « contrée ». These are regional names for a single game: a bidding belote where one team announces a contract, picks the trump and tries to make it. Across the rest of the site we mostly say « coinche », but everything you read applies word for word to contract belote. For the vocabulary nuances, see coinche, contrée and belote: the differences.
The essentials in a few lines
Contract belote is played by 4 players, two teams of two facing each other, with a 32-card deck. A game runs through deals up to an agreed total (often 1000 or 1500 points).
- Bidding: from 80 to 160, then capot. Each bid names a point target and a trump (or no-trump / all-trump). Details on bidding.
- Named trump: the taker chooses the trump suit while bidding, unlike classic belote.
- 162 points per deal: 152 in the cards + a 10-point last-trick bonus.
- Belote (King + Queen of trumps in the same hand) = 20 points.
- Capot (all tricks) bid and made = 250 points.
Coinche and counter: the heart of the game
The name « contract belote » comes precisely from the right to counter (« coincher »). If you think the opposing team cannot make its contract, you call coinche: the deal's points are then doubled (x2). The taking team can fire back with a surcoinche, which quadruples (x4) the stakes. That bet on the opponents' failure is the spice of the game. To gauge the risk, read our coinche strategy.
How many points, and where to learn the detail
At the end of each deal you compare the points scored against the contract bid. The contract is made or it fails, and the scoring scale applies. Rather than repeating it all here, head to the dedicated guides, which hold as-is for contract belote:
- The full rules
- Card values (trump: Jack 20, 9 = 14, Ace 11, 10 = 10, King 4, Queen 3)
- Counting points
See also
FAQ
Are contract belote and coinche the same thing?
Yes, it is exactly the same game: « contract belote », « coinche » and « contrée » are three names for the same rules. Everything we explain about coinche applies to contract belote.
How do you play contract belote?
Four players in two teams: you bid from 80 to capot naming a trump, then play the 8 tricks to make your contract. A deal is worth 162 points (152 + 10 last-trick bonus). See our rules guide for the detail.
Why is it called « contrée » (contract)?
Because you can « counter » (coincher) the opponents' contract: you double the deal's points, betting they will fail. They can surcoincher to quadruple.