Game Rules
BeloteFrance's favorite trick-taking game

A French-influenced trick-taking game with partnerships, declarations, and fixed card values.

Players4
Duration15 – 25 min
Deck32 cards · 1 deck
DifficultyMedium to challenging
I · Game Idea

Choose trumps,
declare Belote

I

Belote is France's most popular card game, played by four players in two partner teams with 32 cards. After dealing, a trump suit is determined – either by acceptance or free choice.

Special feature: Players holding the King and Queen of the same trump suit can declare "Belote" – a bonus of 20 points.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal cards
32 cards (7 to Ace): 8 cards per player.
2
Suggest trump
One card is revealed. Players decide in turn: accept or decline.
3
Free choice
If all decline: second bidding round with free suit choice.
Before starting

The Jack and 9 of the trump suit are the strongest cards in the game – stronger than the Ace. Count them first in your hand.

III · Card Values
How cards count
in trumps
III
J
Jack
20 Points
The Jack of the trump suit is the strongest card – worth 20 points.
9
Nine
14 Points
The 9 of the trump suit is the second strongest card – unusually high value.
A
Ace
11 Points
In off-suits (non-trump), the Ace remains the highest and most valuable card.
KQ
Belote
+20 Bonus
King and Queen of the trump suit when played: declare 20 bonus points.
IV · Gameplay

Trick by
trick

IV
1
Determine trump
First or second bidding round sets the trump suit.
2
Follow suit
Play the led suit, if possible also overtrump if a partner is already leading.
3
Declare Belote
Announce King and Queen of the trump suit when played: +20 points.
4
Last trick
The last trick of the round brings an additional 10 bonus points ("Dix de Der").
5
Count points
All trick points plus bonuses are counted. The team that chose the trump suit needs more points than the opponents. The first to reach 501 or 1001 points wins the game.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Belote is France's national card game with many local forms.

C
Coinche
With doubles and redoubles like in Bridge – higher risk and higher points.
3
Belote à 3
For three players without fixed partnerships.
S
Sans Atout
Special round with no trumps – different point values apply.
T
Tout Atout
Special round where all four suits count as trumps simultaneously.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Count the Jack and 9 of your potential trump suit first – with both in hand, it's often worth accepting as trump.

+

Declare Belote as early as possible when first playing the King or Queen of the trump suit – otherwise the bonus is forfeited.

+

Play supportively as a partner – if your partner is already leading the trick, play low cards instead of overtrumping.

+

Pay close attention to the last trick – the additional 10 points can decide a close game.

Common Mistakes
–

Forgetting to declare Belote when the King and Queen of the trump suit are played – the bonus must be actively announced.

–

Accepting a weak hand as trump without possessing the Jack or 9 of the chosen suit.

–

Overtrumping your own partner even though they have already securely won the trick.

–

Underestimating the last trick of the round and thereby giving away the additional bonus points.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Belote is France's favorite – with a 32-card deck, perfect for four players at the table.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For larger groups and long game nights. To the product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. To the product
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