Baloot rules — how to play

Overview

Baloot is played by four players in two opposing teams with a 32-card deck (7 up to Ace in each suit). Five cards are dealt then three, for eight tricks per round.

After the deal, players choose the contract: Hokum (with a trump suit) or Sun (no trump). The contract sets the card ranking and point values.

Card ranking

In Hokum, the trump suit ranks: Jack > 9 > Ace > 10 > King > Queen > 8 > 7. In non-trump suits and in Sun: Ace > 10 > King > Queen > Jack > 9 > 8 > 7.

How to play

1. Deal — Deal 5 cards to each player, then 3 more — eight cards each, eight tricks.
2. Bid & pick the contract — Players decide to play Hokum (choosing the trump suit) or Sun. The buying team commits to making its points.
3. Play the tricks — Follow the led suit if you can. The trick is won by the highest card of the suit led, or the highest trump in Hokum.
4. Declare projects — Declare projects (Sira, Fifty, Hundred, four-of-a-kind) before play to add points for your team.
5. Score the round — Count captured card points plus the last-trick bonus, convert them to game points, then add projects. The first team to 152 wins.

Scoring & winning

• In Hokum: trump Jack 20, trump 9 is 14, Ace 11, Ten 10, King 4, Queen 3, the rest 0.
• In Sun: Ace 11, Ten 10, King 4, Queen 3, Jack 2, the rest 0 — Sun points are doubled.
• Card points (abnat) are not the match score. At the end of each round a team's total is converted: divided by 10 in Hokum (162 → 16), or doubled then divided by 10 in Sun (130 → 26). Only that converted figure counts toward 152.
• Projects score in GAME points, not abnat. In Hokum: Sira (3 in sequence) 2, Fifty (4 in sequence) 5, Hundred (5+ in sequence) 10, four-of-a-kind 10, and Baloot (King + Queen of trump) 2. In Sun they double — Sira 4, Fifty 10, Hundred 20 — and four Aces score 40. The familiar names 20 / 50 / 100 / 400 are their abnat values.
• The last trick adds 10 abnat — 1 game point after conversion. The match is won at 152 points.

Strategy

FAQ