Learn to Play Bridge-Belote: Rules & Tips

Players 4 Players
Difficulty 5/10
Recommended Age 10+
Game Category Trick-taking
Playing the card game Bridge-Belote
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Bridge-Belote Game Overview

Bridge-Belote is a classic trick-taking card game that has been enjoyed by players around the world for generations. It's a game that combines strategy, skill, and a bit of luck, making it perfect for players of all levels.

Whether you're a seasoned card player or a complete beginner, Bridge-Belote is a fun and exciting game that's easy to learn but difficult to master. So gather your friends and family, grab a deck of cards, and get ready for hours of entertainment!

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Objective of the Game

The object of Bridge-Belote is to score points by winning tricks. A trick consists of four cards played, one from each player. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the player who wins the trick leads the next one.

The game is played over several hands, with the team that scores the most points at the end declared the winner.

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Materials Needed for Playing Bridge-Belote

  • 1 deck of 32 cards (French deck)
  • Pen and paper to keep score

Cards Used

Bridge-Belote is played with a French deck of 32 cards, which includes the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, and 7 of each suit. The cards rank in descending order: Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, and 7.

Other Supplies Needed

  • None

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How To Play Bridge-Belote

  1. Shuffle the deck and deal 8 cards to each player, starting with the player to the dealer's left. The remaining cards are placed in a draw pile in the center of the table.
  2. The player to the dealer's left starts the game by leading a card from their hand. Each player must follow suit if possible, and the highest card of the suit led wins the trick. If a player cannot follow suit, they can play any card.
  3. The player who wins the trick leads the next one. Play continues until all tricks have been played.
  4. After all tricks have been played, the team that won the most tricks scores points. The points are based on the trump suit and the ranking of the cards played.
  5. The game continues with additional hands until one team reaches 501 points, which declares them the winner.

Keeping Score

Scoring in Bridge-Belote is based on the number of tricks won by each team and the trump suit. The team that wins the most tricks scores points based on the following:

  • If the trump suit was declared, the team scores 1 point for each trick won. If the team that declared the trump suit wins all 8 tricks, they score 10 bonus points.
  • If the trump suit was not declared, the team that won the most tricks scores 2 points for each trick won.

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Related Games

If you enjoy playing Bridge-Belote, there are several similar card games you might also enjoy: