Cuarenta – Rules

Play Cuarenta against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Cuarenta is Ecuador's national game. You play a card and use it to take equal cards or matching sums from the table – plus the ascending sequence. Points come from special captures during play and, at the end, from capturing many cards.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 40 French cards: ace to 7, jack, queen, king in four suits.
• Values: Ace 1, 2–7 face value. Jack, queen and king only take equal court cards.
• Sequence (for taking along): A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, jack, queen, king.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, table cards face up, captured cards face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 5 cards.
2. Redealing: When all hand cards are played, 5 new ones are dealt – until the stock is empty.
3. Start: The player right of the dealer begins.

Start example: The table is empty. You simply place a 3 on the table.

4. Goal and winning

• Goal: The first to reach 40 points (or 20 in the short version) wins.

5. Play in detail

A turn.

1. Play a hand card.
2. Capture: an equal table card – or number cards whose sum equals its value.
3. Sequence: Then you also take the ascending sequence (e.g. after a 5 also 6, 7, jack …).
4. If nothing fits, the card stays face up on the table.

Special captures.

• Caída: You immediately take the card your predecessor just played with an equal rank: 2 points.
• Limpia: You clear the table completely: 2 points.
• Ronda: Announce three equal cards in your hand: 4 points.

Example with Players 1 and 2. Two players.

1. On the table lie 2, 4, 6 and a jack. Player 2 plays a 5.
2. Player 1 plays a 5 and takes Player 2's 5 – caída, 2 points. As a sequence he also takes the 6; since there is no 7, the jack stays.
3. 2, 4 and the jack remain on the table. Player 2 plays a 6 and takes 2 + 4.
4. Player 1 plays a jack and takes the last jack: limpia, 2 points.

6. Scoring

• Recording: Points per player or team.
• Counting cards: Only once the stock is empty.

7. Special rules and situations

• Missed sequence: If someone leaves a possible sequence, the opponent may take it.
• From 38 points: Often only caídas and limpias count then.
• Equal card count: The non-dealing team scores the points.
• Common mistakes: forgetting the sequence; playing a card that hands the opponent a caída.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 2 players (or 4 in teams), target 40.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play alone against one computer opponent or as a team of four; the target is 40 or 20 points.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Caída danger: Don't play a card the opponent can take at once.
2. Check the sequence: After every capture look for 6, 7, jack …
3. Keep the table full: With few cards a limpia threatens.
4. Keep count: How many cards of a rank are still out?
5. Use the ronda: Three of a kind bring 4 points at once.
6. Capture many cards: 20 or more pay off at the end.
7. Use court cards: Jack, queen and king only take their own kind – often safe to play.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 40 cards (no 8, 9, 10), 5 cards each.
2. Play a card.
3. Take an equal card or a sum.
4. Take the ascending sequence along.
5. Nothing fits: the card stays.
6. Caída (take the card just played): 2.
7. Limpia (table cleared): 2.
8. Ronda (announce three of a kind): 4.
9. At the end, 20 cards score 6 plus 1 for each extra card.
10. First to 40 points wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

What is a caída?

You immediately take the card your predecessor just played with an equal card.

What is a limpia?

You clear the whole table.

Can court cards take sums?

No, jack, queen and king only take equal court cards.

How does the sequence work?

After a capture you also take the next higher cards in a row.

When are cards counted?

When all cards have been played.

How long does a game take?

To 40 points about 30 to 60 minutes.

Origin & history

Cuarenta ('forty') is considered Ecuador's national game and is played at family celebrations and tournaments. The name comes from the goal of reaching 40 points. The removed eights, nines and tens often serve as counting cards.