Truco

Rules

Objective:

The objective of Truco is to be the first player or team to reach a certain number of points, typically 15 or 30.

Players:

Truco is usually played by four players in two teams of two players each. However, it can also be played by two players.

Deck:

Truco is played with a Spanish deck of 40 cards. Each player receives three cards in each hand.

Card Values:

• 1 (A) is the highest card, followed by 12 (K), 11 (Q), 10, 7, 6, 5, and 4.
• The 2 and 3 cards have no value.

Gameplay:

1. The game starts with each player receiving three cards.
2. The dealer is chosen randomly for the first hand.
3. Players take turns clockwise.
4. Each turn, a player can choose to:
   • Play a card: The player places a card face-up on the table.
   • Call Truco: The player announces "Truco," initiating a challenge. The opposing team can accept the challenge or fold (lose the round).
   • Call Envido: The player announces "Envido," initiating a point-counting phase. The opposing team can accept the challenge or fold.
5. If both teams accept the Truco or Envido challenge, they enter into a series of rounds to determine the winner.
6. If a team reaches 15 points during a round, they win the game.
7. If no team has reached the winning score, a new hand begins with the player to the right of the previous dealer.

Scoring:

• Truco: If a team wins the Truco challenge, they score two points. If the team that called Truco loses, the opposing team scores two points.
• Envido: The team with the highest point count from the Envido challenge scores points according to the following table:
  • Envido (no points): 2 points
  • Envido (20 points or more): 2 points
  • Real Envido (30 points or more): 3 points
  • Falta Envido (less than 15 points): Opposing team scores 15 points

Note: The rules may vary slightly depending on regional variations and house rules.

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La Brisca

La Brisca is a traditional Spanish card game played with a Spanish deck of 40 or 48 cards. It is a trick-taking game that requires strategic thinking and careful card management. The objective is to win tricks and earn points by capturing valuable cards. Here are the rules of La Brisca:

1. Number of Players

La Brisca is typically played by two to six players, either individually or in partnerships.

2. Card Values

In La Brisca, the cards have specific ranks and point values. The Ace is the highest-ranking card and is worth 11 points. The 3, King, Horse (Caballo), and Sota (Jack) follow in descending order, each worth 10 points, 4 points then 3 points and finally 2 points.

3. Dealing

The dealer shuffles the deck and deals three cards to each player, one at a time, in a clockwise direction. Then, the next card is placed face-up on the table, and its suit determines the trump suit for that round.

4. Gameplay

The player to the right of the dealer starts the game. Each player takes turns in a clockwise direction.

5. Leading a Trick

The first player places a card face-up on the table to start a trick. The other players must follow suit if they have a card of the same suit. If a player doesn't have a card of the led suit, they can play any card from their hand.

6. Capturing a Trick

After all players have played a card, the player with the highest-ranking card of the led suit wins the trick and collects the played cards, placing them face-down in a personal captured cards pile. However, if a trump suit is in play, a player can play a trump card instead of following suit. A trump card wins over cards of any other suit unless a higher-ranked trump card is played.

7. Scoring Points

After all the cards have been played, players count the points they have captured in their piles. The team or player with the highest total score wins the round. If playing individually, each player's score is calculated individually.

8. Special Card Combinations

In La Brisca, certain card combinations hold special significance:

• Brisca: If a player captures the trump Ace (Brisca) in a trick, they earn an extra point.
• Baza: If a player captures all the cards in a round (all the tricks), it is called "Baza." The player announces it and scores an additional point.

9. Winning the Game

The game typically consists of several rounds. The first player or team to reach a predetermined point threshold, such as 30 or 40 points, is declared the winner.

La Brisca is a captivating card game that combines strategy, memory, and a bit of luck. Players must carefully manage their cards, anticipate their opponents' moves, and make tactical decisions to win tricks and accumulate valuable cards. It is a game that brings people together and provides hours of entertainment.

Remember, the rules of La Brisca may vary slightly depending on the region or players involved. It is always a good idea to establish and agree upon specific rules and variations before beginning the game to ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for all players.

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La Escoba

La Escoba, also known as "La Escoba de 15" or "The Broom," is a popular Spanish card game that combines strategy and a little bit of math skills. The objective is to accumulate points by capturing cards that add up to a total of 15. The game is typically played with a Spanish deck of 40 cards. Personally I have a deck of 48 cards. If you do too, just remove the 12's, 11's and 10's. Or play with them, I haven't tried this yet.

La Escoba is a game that combines luck, strategy, and quick math calculations. With each round, players must carefully plan their moves to capture the right combination of cards to maximize their points. The game offers an exciting challenge and is a fantastic way to spend time with friends and family.

Remember, these rules are a general overview of La Escoba, and there may be slight variations in different regions or among players. Feel free to adjust the rules or add your own variations to make the game even more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Here are the rules of La Escoba:

1. 1) Number of Players: La Escoba is played with two to six players.

2. 2) Aim of the game: Collect as many 7's, coins and cards. The 7 of coins is another point!

3. 3) Dealing: The dealer shuffles the deck and deals three cards to each player, one at a time, starting from their right and moving counterclockwise. Then, four cards are placed face-up in the center of the table.

4. 4) Gameplay: The player to the right of the dealer starts the game. Each player takes turns in a clockwise direction.

5. 5) Capturing Cards: On their turn, a player can capture one or more cards on the table by combining them to add up to 15. The captured cards are placed face-down in a separate pile in front of the player.

   1. - Single Card Capture: A player can capture a single card from the table if its value adds up to 15. For example, capturing a 7 with an 8.

   2. - Multiple Card Capture: A player can capture multiple cards whose combined values equal 15. For example, capturing a 4, a 5, a 6.

6. 6) Must Capture Rule: If a player can capture cards that add up to 15, they must do so. Failure to capture when possible results in a penalty.

7. 7) Clearing the Table (La Escoba): If a player captures all four cards from the center of the table in a single turn, it is called "La Escoba." The player announces it and scores an additional point.

8. 8) Can't do anything? Place a card in the middle with the other face up cards.

9. 9) Drawing New Cards: After playing all cards, the dealer replenishes everyones hands by giving 3 cards to everyone again.

10. 10) Scoring: At the end of the game, players count who has most sevens, coins, and cards. One point is awarded to each. One point is also awarded to each "Escoba" and to the player with the seven of coins.

11. 11) Winning the Game: The player with the highest score at the end of the game is the winner. You can keep playing new games and tallying up the points until you decide to stop.

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