How to Play Bourre
Ready to learn a lively trick-and-stake card game from Southwestern France? This guide walks you through the basics of Bourre in easy steps. For more beginner guides like this, visit Playmore.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Game name | Bourre |
| Family | Southwestern France |
| Typical players | 3–5 |
| Deck or components | Either a full normal 52-card deck or a reduced 32-card setup made from one 52-card deck (French suits) |
| Game type | Trick-and-stake game (not Loo) |
| Beginner focus | How a basic round plays; exact scoring is version-dependent |
What you are trying to do
Bourre is a trick-taking game played for a shared pot. You try to win tricks with high or trump cards. Winning tricks can earn you part of the pot. Players who fail to win any tricks usually face a penalty into the pot. Exact stakes and penalties vary by region, so check your group's rules.
What you need and how to set up
Use either a full 52-card deck or make a 32-card deck by removing certain low cards from a 52-card deck (this is a normal-deck setup). You also need chips, coins, or another token for the pot. Pick a dealer at random.
Before a round starts, each player usually antes an agreed amount into the pot. The dealer shuffles and deals the hand size your group uses. The deal pattern and how trump is chosen depend on the regional version — check your group's official rules for those specifics.
How to play
- Ante and deal: Every player puts the agreed ante into the pot. The dealer deals the cards according to your version (common deals give each player several cards and may place one face-up card as trump).
- Determine trumps: In many versions, a turned card or a declared suit becomes trump. Trump cards beat cards of other suits. Your group should agree on how trump is set.
- Lead the first trick: The player left of the dealer usually leads the first trick by playing one card.
- Follow suit if you can: Players must follow the suit led when possible. If you cannot follow, you may play any card, including a trump if you want to try to win the trick.
- Win the trick: The highest card of the suit led wins the trick unless a trump is played; then the highest trump wins. The trick winner collects the cards and normally leads the next trick.
- Repeat until all tricks are played: Continue leading and following until the hand is complete. How many tricks decide the pot share or penalties depends on the version you play.
- Resolve the pot: Players who won tricks generally claim some of the pot. Players who won no tricks usually pay a penalty into the pot for the next round. Your group should confirm exact payouts and penalties, as they are version-dependent.
How a round or game ends
A round ends after all tricks are played and the pot is settled. A game may continue for a set number of rounds or until players decide to stop. Because scoring and penalties differ by house rules, agree beforehand how many rounds you will play and how to settle ties.
Beginner tips
- Watch the first few plays to learn how others handle trumps and penalties.
- Keep track of which suits and trumps have been played; that helps you guess which cards can win later tricks.
- Play conservatively early if the pot is large. Avoid wasting high trumps on weak tricks.
- Agree on exact ante, deal, and penalty rules before starting. Regional versions vary a lot.
FAQ
How many cards do we use?
Both 32-card and 52-card setups are common. Use the version your group prefers. A 32-card setup is a reduced normal deck, not a special purchase.
What happens if I can’t follow suit?
If you can't follow suit you usually may play any card. Playing a trump can win the trick. Specific forced-play or penalty rules depend on the version you choose.
Is Bourre the same as Loo?
No. Bourre is a related trick-and-stake game, but it is not the same as Loo. Rules and penalties differ by game and by regional variants.
Groups should check the authoritative or regional rules linked in the game's reference for exact deal, scoring, and penalty details before playing.