About the Game

Belote is the most popular card game in France, played four-handed in fixed partnerships with a 32-card deck. One suit becomes trump, where the jack and the nine suddenly outrank the aces, and holding the king and queen of that suit — belote-rebelote — quietly adds twenty points. Bidding for trump, the duty to trump, and the ten-point last trick turn every deal into a small tactical battle to 501.

Basic Rules

1. 1Four players in two fixed partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other.
2. 2Played with a 32-card French deck: seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, king and ace in each suit.
3. 3One suit is trump; there the jack is highest at 20 points and the nine next at 14.
4. 4Outside trump the ace is worth 11 and the ten 10, above the king, queen and jack.
5. 5Trump is chosen by bidding on the turned-up card, taken or passed over two rounds.
6. 6You must follow suit, and when void you must play a trump and overtrump an opponent who is winning.
7. 7Belote-rebelote — the king and queen of trumps in one hand — scores 20 when the second is played.
8. 8Winning the last trick adds 10 points, and the first partnership to reach 501 wins the match.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Belote?

Four players in two fixed partnerships, with partners sitting opposite each other. Played with a 32-card French deck: seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, king and ace in each suit. One suit is trump; there the jack is highest at 20 points and the nine next at 14. Outside trump the ace is worth 11 and the ten 10, above the king, queen and jack. Trump is chosen by bidding on the turned-up card, taken or passed over two rounds. You must follow suit, and when void you must play a trump and overtrump an opponent who is winning. Belote-rebelote — the king and queen of trumps in one hand — scores 20 when the second is played. Winning the last trick adds 10 points, and the first partnership to reach 501 wins the match.

How many players can play Belote?

4 players

Is Belote free to play on LUDOCCA?

Yes. Belote is free to play on LUDOCCA. Create an account, join a public room, or invite friends to a private match — no download required.

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