Belote

Belote is a four-player French trick-taking game played by two partnerships with a 32-card pack. Cards run from 7 through Ace. Players first choose a trump suit through the prise, then play eight tricks. The jack and nine are especially strong in trump, which changes the usual card order. This online practice table presents the core decisions without real-money stakes: choose a trump, follow suit, and win useful tricks for your side.

1. Sort the 32-card deal by suit and note the turned card that suggests the first trump.
2. Choose the trump contract when the table reaches your bid, or pass and let the next player decide.
3. Lead one card. Each player must follow the led suit when possible.
4. Use a trump when you cannot follow, then compare the highest trump or highest led-suit card.
5. Count the points in the tricks and compare the taker's team with the defenders.

• Belote uses four players in two teams of two, sitting opposite each other.
• The pack contains 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, and ace in each suit.
• Trump changes the ranking and point values. In trump, the jack and nine outrank the ace.
• A player who cannot follow may usually trump or discard, subject to the chosen ruleset.
• A standard deal has 32 cards and eight tricks. The team taking the contract must score more than the defense.

• Count trump honors before taking the contract. The jack and nine can make a short trump suit powerful.
• Lead a long side suit to force opposing high cards out before your partner needs the lead.
• Remember the last trick bonus and keep a running count rather than judging a trick by rank alone.
• When partner leads a suit, give useful information with the card you choose while still following the rules.
• Save a winning trump for a later trick when the opponents still hold cards that could take the lead.

• Belote without announcements: This common table option removes sequences and squares from the score while keeping the deal, trump, and trick play.
• Belote contrée: Players bid points directly rather than using the standard prise process.

• Belote gives every card a clear job, so a short hand still creates real decisions.
• The browser layout keeps the active cards visible while the rules stay easy to check.
• Fast restarts make it simple to test a different opening, bid, or bluff.

Play Belote online free on this page. The table uses virtual cards only, with no download and no real-money play. Start a hand, read the prompt, and use the controls below the cards.

The best way to learn Belote is to play a hand while checking each decision against the rules. Start another deal after the first, change one part of your plan, and watch how the result changes.

• Fédération Française de Belote official rules
• Pagat card game rules archive