Game Rules
TrucoBluff Meets Trick-Taking

Argentinian trick-taking game with bluffing. Call Truco, raise the stakes, force your opponent to fold.

Players2 – 6
Duration10 – 20 Min
DeckSpanish or adapted cards
LevelMedium
I · Game Concept

Take tricks,
but bluff

I

Truco combines a classic trick-taking game with poker elements. Players or teams compete against each other – whoever wins two out of three tricks in a round wins the round.

The special thing: At any time, a player can call "Truco!" and raise the stakes. The opponent must counter, raise, or fold – a pure poker face often decides more than the cards themselves.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal cards
3 cards per player from a Spanish (40 cards) or adapted deck.
2
Set score target
Usually played to 15, 24, or 30 points.
3
Memorize card rank
Special ranking: certain cards (e.g., 1 of Swords) are particularly strong.
Before starting

Truco thrives on bluffing – a good poker face is sometimes more important than the actual strength of your hand.

III · Card Values
How Truco
is called
III
T
Truco!
Raise
Someone calls Truco – the stake of the round increases. Opponent must react.
R
Retruco
Counter-raise
Opponent raises back – the stake increases even further.
✗
Fold
Loss of the round
Whoever doesn't counter, folds the round – opponent gets the points so far.
2/3
Tricks
Majority wins
Whoever wins two out of three tricks in a round, wins the entire round.
IV · Gameplay

Round by
round

IV
1
Deal cards
3 cards to all players.
2
Play a trick
Players play one card in turn – the highest card according to the special ranking wins the trick.
3
Call Truco
Any player can raise the stakes at any time – opponent must react.
4
Decide second trick
Whoever wins two out of three tricks wins the round.
5
Count points
The won round brings the last accepted stake points. Whoever first reaches the target score (usually 30) wins the entire game.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Truco is played throughout South America with different card decks.

B
Truco Brasileiro
Brazilian variant with its own rankings and rules.
P
Truco Paulista
Regional Brazilian variant with additional bluffing options.
E
Envido
Additional betting round based on card combinations before the game.
T
Team Truco
With four or six players in fixed teams.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Call Truco even with a mediocre hand if your opponent has played hesitantly before – bluffing is a central part of the game.

+

Observe your opponent's behavior closely when reacting to Truco calls – hesitation often reveals a weak hand.

+

Save your strongest card for the third trick if the round is still open until then.

+

Play in a team coordinated with your partner – agreed signals can help with playing cards, even without words.

Common Mistakes
–

Only call Truco with a really strong hand – that makes you predictable and takes away the bluffing character of the game.

–

Misjudging the special card ranking – it differs significantly from normal card games.

–

Prematurely folding to a counter-raise (Retruco) without considering the actual probability of a bluff.

–

Playing your own strong card too early instead of holding it back for the decisive third trick.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Truco thrives on poker face and thrill – with grippy cards ready for the next bluffing round.

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