How to Play Pâsur (Chahâr Barg)
Welcome — this guide will get you playing Pâsur (Chahâr Barg) with friends quickly. For more beginner guides like this one, visit Playmore and explore other card games.
Quick facts
| Game | Family | Players | Deck | Playtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pâsur (Chahâr Barg) | Iran — fishing card game related to Basra | 4 (typical) | Standard 52 (full normal deck) | 20–40 minutes (version dependent) |
What you are trying to do
Your aim is to capture cards from the table by playing matching or qualifying cards from your hand. Captured cards go into your pile and score points at the end of the round. The player or team with the most points after the agreed number of rounds wins.
What you need and how to set up
You need one full, normal 52-card deck and four players. The game is often played individually, but some groups use partnerships. Decide that before you start.
To set up, shuffle the deck. The dealer deals a set of face-up cards to the table and deals a small hand to each player. The exact numbers dealt to each player and to the table vary by regional rules, so agree on the variant before dealing.
How to play
- Deal and arrange: The dealer gives each player a hand and places the agreed number of face-up cards on the table to form the central piles.
- Play order: Play goes clockwise. On your turn you play one card from your hand into the center.
- Making captures: When you play a card you may capture one or more cards from the table according to the game’s capture rules. Captures are usually based on matching ranks or using particular combinations. Exactly how a capture is made is version-dependent, so confirm the rule set before you start.
- Collecting captures: Captured cards are kept face-down as your scored pile. Some cards or combinations count for bonus points in many variants; treat those as special and track them separately.
- No capture: If you cannot or choose not to capture, the card you play stays on the table and becomes available for future captures.
- Refill hands: When all players have played their hand, the dealer deals the next batch from the remaining deck. Continue until the deck and hands are exhausted.
How a round or game ends
A round ends once every card has been played and all final captures are made. Players then count the cards and any bonus items in their capture piles to total their round score. In multi-round play, scores are added across rounds and play continues until a pre-agreed target score or number of rounds is reached. Exact scoring values and the target score differ by region, so check the official or regional rules your group follows.
Beginner tips
- Agree the exact variant before you start. Small rule differences change strategy a lot.
- Watch which ranks leave the table. That helps you predict opponents’ future captures.
- Hold a card that can make a big capture until the right moment. Timing matters.
- Avoid playing a card that gives your opponent a free big capture on their next turn.
- If you play partnerships, use table talk rules agreed in advance. Silent signals will spoil the game.
- Keep your capture pile separate and face-down so counting is easy at the end.
FAQ
Are Pâsur and Basra the same?
They are related fishing games, but Pâsur has its own capture and scoring rules. Don’t assume they match; confirm the variant you want to play.
How many cards do I get each deal?
That depends on the version. Most common deals give small hands and refresh them from the stock until the deck is empty. Agree the deal size with your group before playing.
Where do I find the full official rules?
There are authoritative references and regional rule pages that list full capture and scoring details. Check the linked official or regional rules your group prefers for exact scoring, penalties, and special cases before you play.