What is Tute?

Tute is a popular card game in Spain, as well as in some Latin American countries. It is a trick-taking game with "marriage" trumps. There are various variations, all with the same basic structure of trick-taking and card values, but modified for varying numbers of players and, in some cases, the additional complication of bidding. The game will be explained first for four players in two fixed partnerships, followed by versions for other numbers of players.

Game Rules

Tute is played with a typical Spanish pack of 40 cards. The suits are as follows, along with the rank and value of the cards in each suit:
As can be seen, the pack contains a total of 120 card points (30 in each of the four suits). Furthermore, 10 points are provided for winning the last trick, bringing the total available to 130, and additional points can be gained by a player who possesses the king and horse of the same suit.

One suit is designated as the trump suit in each deal, and all of its cards can beat any card from the other three suits. Most versions of the game establish the trump suit by flipping a card face up during the deal; this card is known as "la carta que pinta" (the card that paints).