Tute: A Popular Spanish Card Game

Tute is a classic card game that originated in Spain and is also popular in some Latin American countries. It is a point-trick game with a unique twist, as the trump suit is determined during the game and not at the beginning. This game is typically played with 2 to 6 players, using a standard Spanish deck of 40 cards.

Objective

The objective of Tute is to score the most points by winning tricks containing high-value cards and by declaring specific card combinations, known as "singing."

Setup

The first dealer is chosen randomly, and the turn to deal passes to the right after each hand. The dealer shuffles the cards, and the player to their left cuts the deck. Then, all the cards are dealt out one at a time, starting with the player to the dealer's right and proceeding clockwise, so that each player receives 10 cards. The last card of the pack, which belongs to the dealer, is turned face up. The suit of this card determines the trump suit for the hand.

How to Play

The cards are played in tricks, with the player to the dealer's right leading to the first trick. Any card may be led. If possible, players must follow suit, i.e., play a card of the same suit that was led. Players are also obliged to play a card which beats the best card already played to the trick, if they can.

If a player cannot follow suit and no trump has been played yet, they must play a trump if they have one. If a trump has already been played, they must play a trump that beats the highest trump already played. If a player cannot beat the best card in the trick, they have no obligation except to follow suit.

If no trumps were played, the trick is won by the highest card of the suit led. If a trump was played, the trick is won by the highest trump. The cards of the completed tricks are kept face down in front of one of the members of the team that won the trick. The winner of the trick leads to the next.

Singing (los cánticos)

A player who holds the king and horse of the same suit can score extra points by declaring them and showing the two cards. The king and horse of a non-trump suit are worth 20 points, and the king and horse of trumps are worth 40. A player can only sing immediately after winning a trick.

Scoring and End of Game

When all the cards have been played, each team counts the points in the tricks they have won. The team that won the last trick also gets an additional 10 points. Any team that has declared any 20's or 40's adds in these points as well. The team with the most points wins the game. If there is a tie, the team that won the last trick wins.

Common Variants

There are several variations of Tute, some of which include individual play, different ways of determining the trump suit, and variations in singing rules. Some of these variants are:

• Individual Tute: A version for 2 or 3 players playing as individuals.
• Tute corriente: A two-player game where six cards are dealt to each player, and the thirteenth card determines the trump suit.
• Tute habanero, Tute americano, Tute arrastrado, Tute subastado, Tute gana-pierde, and Tute cabrero: These are other variations for different numbers of players.

Where to Get the Game

baraja espanola tute on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not understanding the singing rule: New players often overlook the singing rule, which can result in missed opportunities to score extra points.
2. Failing to follow suit: Players should always try to follow suit when possible, as it can help win tricks and deny them to opponents.
3. Not paying attention to the trump suit: The trump suit can change during the game, so players should always keep an eye on the face-up card in the middle of the table.

FAQ

1. Q: Can I play Tute with a deck other than the traditional Spanish deck? A: To ensure the correct point values and trump suit determination, it is recommended to use a traditional Spanish deck of 40 cards.

2. Q: Can I sing multiple king-horse combinations in a single trick? A: No, a player can only sing one 20 or 40 at a time.

3. Q: What happens if a player tries to sing a 40 after previously singing a 20? A: It is illegal for a player to declare a 40 having previously declared a 20.

4. Q: Can I declare a singing combination if I didn't win the trick? A: No, singing can only be done immediately after winning a trick.

5. Q: Can my partner also sing after I win a trick? A: In some variations, the partner of a player who wins a trick can also sing. However, this is not always the case, so it's best to check the specific rules being played.