How many cards are used in Belote?

32, from seven to ace. Each player gets five cards first and three more after the bidding (the taker: the turned card and two), eight in all.

What does 'dedans' mean?

The taking team did not score more points than the defenders. It scores nothing except a belote, and the defenders score all 162 points of the deal.

What is the difference between Belote and Bela?

Croatian Bela deals six cards plus a two-card talon and the dealer must choose trumps if all pass; French Belote turns up a card, has two bidding rounds and a redeal if all pass, and you need not trump when your partner is winning.

Is Belote on schnapser.app free?

Yes. You can play Belote completely free and without ads. No registration is needed; signing in with Google is optional and only needed for rankings and friends.

Can I play Belote against the computer?

Yes. Computer players with three skill levels fill the empty seats, so you can start a game of Belote at any time – alone or with friends.

How do I play Belote with friends?

Create a private room and share the link or the five-letter room code. Your friends join in the browser – no app or download needed. Empty seats can be filled with computer players.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. schnapser.app runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets and computers and can be installed on the home screen like an app.

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Belote

French, 4 players, 2 teams, 32 cards

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Free, no adsPlay without signing upTraditional European card games

Belote card game – cards from its own deck

Belote – the French classic online

Belote is France’s favourite card game: four players in two fixed partnerships with a 32-card deck, played anticlockwise. Everyone gets five cards and the next card is turned face up. In the first round each player may take the turned suit as trumps or pass; in the second round any other suit can be named. The taker picks up the turned card and two more, the others three. In trumps the jack is worth 20 and the nine 14. You must follow suit, overtrump when trumps are led and trump when void – unless your partner is winning the trick. Belote-rebelote 20, dix de der 10, capot 252; if the takers score less than the defenders they are dedans. Play to 1000 (or 501), declarations optional – with friends or against computer players of three skill levels.

Belote rules & tips →

What is Belote?

Belote is the national card game of France, a member of the Jass family together with Klaverjas and Croatian Bela. Four players in two partnerships play anticlockwise with 32 cards. Each gets five cards, the next card is turned up, and after trumps are fixed the taker receives the turned card and two more while the others get three – eight cards each.

Two rounds of bidding

In the first round each player in turn may take the turned-up suit as trumps or pass. If all four pass, a second round follows in which any other suit may be named. If everyone passes twice, the cards are thrown in and the next player deals.

Scoring

A deal is worth 162 points: trump jack 20, nine 14, ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3; in plain suits ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3, jack 2, plus 10 for the last trick (dix de der). King and queen of trumps in one hand score 20 (belote-rebelote). The takers must score more than the defenders, otherwise they are dedans and the defenders score 162. A tie (litige) holds the takers’ points for the winner of the next deal. Taking every trick (capot) scores 252.

The rules in brief

5 cards + one turned-up card; round 1: take the turned suit, round 2: name another suit – the taker gets the turned card
Follow suit, overtrump when trumps are led; trump when void – unless your partner is winning
Belote-rebelote 20, dix de der 10, capot 252; the takers need more points, otherwise “dedans” – play to 1000

Full rules of Belote

Questions and answers

How many cards are used in Belote?: 32, from seven to ace. Each player gets five cards first and three more after the bidding (the taker: the turned card and two), eight in all.
What does 'dedans' mean?: The taking team did not score more points than the defenders. It scores nothing except a belote, and the defenders score all 162 points of the deal.
What is the difference between Belote and Bela?: Croatian Bela deals six cards plus a two-card talon and the dealer must choose trumps if all pass; French Belote turns up a card, has two bidding rounds and a redeal if all pass, and you need not trump when your partner is winning.
Is Belote on schnapser.app free?: Yes. You can play Belote completely free and without ads. No registration is needed; signing in with Google is optional and only needed for rankings and friends.
Can I play Belote against the computer?: Yes. Computer players with three skill levels fill the empty seats, so you can start a game of Belote at any time – alone or with friends.
How do I play Belote with friends?: Create a private room and share the link or the five-letter room code. Your friends join in the browser – no app or download needed. Empty seats can be filled with computer players.
Does it work on a phone?: Yes. schnapser.app runs in any modern browser on phones, tablets and computers and can be installed on the home screen like an app.

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