How to Play Bräus
Welcome! This guide will help you start playing Bräus with friends. If you like partnership trick games, you’ll enjoy learning the basics here — and you can always visit Playmore for more guides.
Quick facts
| Game | Type / family | Typical players | Deck or components | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bräus | Gotland partnership trick game | 4 or 6 | 36 (reduced from one normal 52-card deck) | Gotland, Sweden |
What you are trying to do
Bräus is a partnership trick-taking game. Your goal is to win tricks with your partner and score points by capturing valuable cards. The game uses a special card hierarchy and partnerships sit opposite each other. Bräus is not the same as Jass, though they are related; local groups play different variants, so check the linked official or regional rules for the exact version you want to learn.
What you need and how to set up
You need a single standard 52-card deck reduced to 36 cards — that means removing specific ranks so only 36 cards remain. Use a table where partners sit opposite. With four players, two teams of two; with six players, usually three teams of two (confirm the local variant before you play).
Shuffle well. Decide who deals first and rotate the deal clockwise. The exact number of cards dealt to each player and any special pre-deal actions depend on the regional rules, so check your group's version before starting the first hand.
How to play
- Deal the hand according to your group's rules. Players pick up their cards and arrange them by suit.
- The leader (player who follows the dealing order) leads the first trick by playing a card face up to the table.
- Players must follow suit if they can. If they cannot follow, rules for playing trumps or discarding vary by variant; check your chosen ruleset for specifics.
- Trick winner is decided by Bräus’s special card hierarchy. That hierarchy gives some cards unusual power compared with a normal deck. The winner of the trick collects the cards and leads the next trick.
- Play continues until all cards have been played. Partners add up the values of cards or tricks they captured. Exact scoring and any bonus points are version-dependent and should be confirmed with your regional rules.
How a round or game ends
A round ends when every trick has been played for that deal. Many groups play multiple rounds to a target score or for a set number of deals. Exact scoring totals, match length, and special penalties differ by local variant. Before you start, agree with your group which scoring rules you will use.
Beginner tips
- Watch which suits your partner plays and which they avoid. That gives clues about their hand.
- Keep track of high cards played in each suit so you can estimate what remains.
- Lead from a suit where you have several cards if you want to force opponents to follow.
- Discuss and agree on the exact rule set before you begin. Regional differences change key details like scoring and special cards.
FAQ
Is Bräus the same as Jass?
No. Bräus shares a trick-taking family with Jass but has its own special card hierarchy and regional rules. Treat it as a separate game.
Which deck do I use?
Use one standard 52-card deck reduced to 36 cards. Ask your group which ranks to remove so everyone uses the same setup.
Can adults add penalties or rewards?
If you want consequences for scoring, use non-consumption rewards or penalties. Don’t make alcohol or substances part of the game; pick simple house rules instead.