Objective of the Game
Truco is a traditional card game originating from Argentina. The objective of the game is to score points by winning rounds, commonly playing until a predetermined score, usually 30 points.
Number of Players
- Minimum: 2 players
- Maximum: 6 players (in teams, usually 2 or 3 per team)
Game Materials
- A Spanish deck of 40 cards is used. If using a modern poker deck, remove the 8s and 9s.
Basic Rules
Card Deck
- There are four suits: Gold, Cups, Swords, and Clubs.
- Each suit is numbered from 1 to 7, plus the face cards Jack (10), Queen (11), and King (12).
Gameplay
- Shuffling and Dealing: The dealer shuffles and distributes three cards each, clockwise. The player to the dealer's left starts.
- The Trick Play: Each round consists of several tricks. The objective is to win two out of three tricks.
- Announcing Truco: Any player can declare "Truco" if they believe their card will win the trick. The opponent may "Accept", "Reject", or "Raise" (Retruco).
- Earning Points: If "Truco" is accepted, the winner earns 2 points. If declined, the caller receives 1 point.
- Announcing Envido: Before or during the first round, Envido can be called to earn points based on the best suited cards in a hand.
Card Ranking
- The order of strength from high to low: 1 of Swords (Espadas), 1 of Clubs (Bastos), 7 of Swords, 7 of Gold, 3, 2, 1 from other suits, face cards, and finally 4 to 7 of other suits.
Strategic Considerations
- Bluffing: Mislead your opponents by pretending to hold stronger cards. It's risky but can yield huge rewards.
- Team Communication: When playing in teams, silent communication and understanding are crucial strategies for winning.
Winning the Game
- The game concludes when a team reaches the predetermined score, typically 30 points. The team with the most points wins.
Final Remarks
Truco combines strategy, memory, and psychology. It not only tests your luck with cards but also your ability to read and bluff your opponents.
