Tute rules

A Spanish trick-taking game built on marriages, and the game most Spanish children learn first. Two to four players. A trump is turned up under the stock, and points come from aces, threes and the court cards. A king and horse of the same suit make a cante worth 20, or 40 in trump. Once the stock is gone the play turns strict, and whoever holds all four kings or all four horses wins the hand outright.

The deck

40 cards, Spanish suited — ace, three, king, horse, jack, then seven down to two. Eight cards each at two players.

The ranking

Ace, three, king, horse, jack, seven, six, five, four, two.

Card values

Ace 11, three 10, king 4, horse 3, jack 2, everything else nothing. 120 points, plus 10 for the last trick.

The trump

One card is turned face up under the remaining stock; its suit is trump. Holding the seven of trump, you may swap it for that card when it is your turn to lead.

The first phase

Play any card you like. Highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led. Winner draws first, then the loser, so hands stay at eight.

Cantes

King and horse of the same suit, declared after you win a trick and before you lead the next: 20, or 40 in trump.

The second phase

Once the stock is gone you must follow suit, must beat the highest card if you can, and must trump when you cannot follow.

Tute

Holding all four kings, or all four horses, and declaring it wins the hand outright, whatever the score. This is where the game gets its name, and it is why you hold onto kings that look useless.

Whoever has more than half the points wins the deal.