Objective of the Game
Bouillotte is a classic French card game that was popular in the 19th century. The aim of the game is to win as many tricks as possible to have the most points at the end. Bouillotte is a trick-taking game that also includes gambling elements.
Number of Players and Cards
- Number of Players: 3 to 5 players
- Deck Used: A traditional Bouillotte deck consists of 20 cards, using a modified French deck with cards 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack (Valet), Queen, King, and Ace in each of the four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs).
Basic Rules
- Card Values: In descending order, the Ace is the highest card, followed by King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, and 7.
- Tricks: Each player plays a card, and the player with the highest card in the led suit wins the trick.
- Dealing and Playing:
- At the beginning of each round, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals either 3 or 5 cards to each player (depending on the variant).
- Players can choose to raise, call, or fold, similar to poker.
Gameplay
- Opening the Trick: The trick is opened by the player to the left of the dealer.
- Direction of Play: Clockwise.
- Objective: Players aim to win tricks through strategically playing high-value cards.
Specials and Strategies
- Bidding Round: Before the actual game begins, there is a bidding round where players decide whether to stay in the game or fold. If all but one player folds, that player wins the pot without needing to play further cards.
- Trumps: Often, Bouillotte does not use trump suits, making the gameplay more strategic.
- Collecting: Try to hold strong combinations like three of a kind or four of a kind as these are more powerful.
Scoring
The specifics of scoring can vary, but typically, the player who successfully completes the most valuable tricks wins.
Bouillotte requires strategic thinking and good bluffing skills, along with a bit of luck. Since it is less known, it can be an interesting alternative to more common card games.
