Coinche rules, the simple version
Want to understand coinche in 5 minutes, without jargon? Here are the essentials, just enough to sit at the table and play your first deal.
The goal
There are 4 players in 2 teams of 2 (partners sit opposite). The goal: win tricks (the cards played each round) to score points. The first team to reach the target score (often 1000 or 1500) wins the game.
You bid before you play
Before play, each team bets on how many points it thinks it can make and picks the trump (the strongest suit of the deal). The minimum bid is 80, and the highest bidder takes the contract. If you have nothing to say, you pass. More on the full rules.
How you play a card
On your turn, you play one card. The basic rule: you must follow the suit of the first card of the trick if you can. The strongest card wins the trick (a trump always beats the other suits). The trick winner leads next.
Who wins the deal?
At the end, you count the points in the tricks. If the team that took the contract reaches its bid, it wins; otherwise it fails and the other team scores. A deal is worth 162 points in total. That's all you need to start. Best of all, try a hand: you learn far faster by playing.
See also
FAQ
Is coinche hard to learn?
The basics take a few minutes: 4 players, you bid a contract, you play tricks by following suit, then you count points. The finer points come later, through play.
What is a trump, simply put?
The trump is the strongest suit of the deal: its cards beat all other suits. It is chosen during the bidding.
How many players for coinche?
Coinche is played by 4 people, in 2 teams of 2, with partners sitting opposite each other.