Truco

About this board game

Truco is a 15-minute card game for 2–6 players, usually played by four people in partnerships. Each player receives three cards, which are played out in tricks while players compete for points.

Alongside trick play, points are scored for holding combinations of cards in the same suit. This creates another way to pursue points beyond the cards played during the tricks.

• Deal three cards to each player.
• Play the cards out in tricks.
• Score for combinations in the same suit.
• Bet extra points on key outcomes.

Players can bet extra points on who has the best combination or on who will win the tricks. These wagers add a strong social element, since deciding when to commit—and when to hold back—is part of the game’s appeal.

Bluffing, talking, and joking are important parts of Truco. The table becomes a lively contest of cards, claims, and confidence as players try to influence the action while pursuing points.

Truco is widely played in South America and is derived from the simpler game Truc, played in Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and parts of Italy. Although four-player partnerships are usual, the game can also be played by two or six players, making it suitable for different group sizes.