Bourré
Introduction
Best with 7 players. At least 5 is necessary
Ante and Deal
In the first hand, everyone pays an ante to the pot. In later hands, the are exceptions for players who tie and go boo (explained later).
Deal 5 cards to each player. Dealer’s last card is shown face up to indicate trump.
Starting to the left of the dealer, players declare check or fold. Then players that checked draw cards.
The Play
Priorities
- Must always follow suit if able
- If unable to follow suit, must play trump
- Must play card to beat the trick if able
Player who takes most trickstakes the pot. Players who tie for most tricks leave the pot, but are exempt from antes next hand.
Players who take no tricks have gone boo. They pay the pot amount to the table. They don’t need to pay ante next hand.
Variants
3-4 Players
Use a 32-card or 40-card deck, dealing only 3 cards out. Extra card is dealt face-up to indicate trump. It does not go to the dealer.
Tarot
Play with a 78-card tarot deck. The major suit is permanent trump.
- Deal 8 cards instead of 5
- Need 2 tricks to not go boo
The Fool is a special card. It can be played at any time to save a better card, but can never win a trick itself. If it starts the trick, next player sets the suit with their card.