Objective:
The objective of Mus is to be the first team to reach 40 large points, called "amarrak." The game requires strategic planning and communication as it is played in teams of two.
Components:
- A traditional Spanish deck of 40 cards (without the 8s and 9s). This gives four suits (Bastos, Oros, Copas, Espadas) with 10 cards each.
- Point counting stones or coins to keep track of points.
Number of Players:
Minimum: 4 players (always in 2-player teams) Maximum: 4 players
Game Play:
-
Setup: The cards are shuffled and each player is dealt four cards. The remaining cards form a deck on the table.
-
Phases of Each Round: There are four phases in each round where bets can be placed:
- Grande: Who has the highest cards? (ace, king, etc.)
- Chica: Who has the lowest cards?
- Pares: Who has the better pairs?
- Juego/Punto: Who has the best card sum (31 to 40 for Juego, and closest to 30 if no one has Juego)?
Between rounds, "mus" can be called, meaning all players discard their cards and draw new ones, or players can call "cut" to play with the current cards.
- Setting and Betting:
- In each of the four phases, points, called "amarrak," can be wagered.
- A player begins with a bet call, which goes around the table. Players can accept, raise, or pass.
-
If no bet is made, the betting round ends without points.
-
Scoring:
- Points are scored in small units (1, 2, 3, ...) until a team reaches 40 and wins a large "amarrak."
Special Rules & Strategies:
- Communication and Assessment: Since the game is played in teams, it is important to coordinate actions with your partner through subtle hints and facial expressions.
- Card Value: A strong understanding of the relative card values and their strategic use is essential.
- Flexibility: The ability to exchange cards each round (through "mus") means players should often stay flexible to improve their hand.
End of the Game:
The game ends when a team reaches 40 large points and wins.
Mus is lesser-known outside its native regions but is played passionately in many Northern Spanish and Southern French regions.
