Number of Players: 2 or 4
Similar games: Truco, Knock out Whist

The standard version of Le Truc is designed to be played by four players in two partnerships. The partners should be seated across from each other at the table. The game uses a 32-card deck, which consists of a normal 52-card deck with all cards six and lower removed. The ranking of the cards in this modified deck is as follows (from high to low); 7, 8, Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9. Determination of partnerships and the first dealer can be done in the following way. Each player would draw a card from a shuffled deck, with the players drawing the two lowest playing in partnership against the players drawing the two highest. The player drawing the highest card would be the first dealer. Being of Spanish origin, the play, deal, and rotation of the deal all move in a counterclockwise rotation in this game.

During the hand, the partner of the Governor may use special signals to indicate the cards he has in his hand. The Governor may then give his partner a basic instruction (such as play your Ace or play your highest card) which must be clearly heard by all players. All signals made must be accurate and the Governors partner must abide by a play requested by the Governor. The following are the normally used signals in this game:

The first partnership to score 12 or more points is declared the winner of the game. Most players use a rubber system, with the first partnership to win two of three games becoming the rubber winner.

Purchase a game to receive a 4d8 deck of cards, or download the free game and rules below

Game
1 Deck of Cards
Rules