Truco Argentino – Rules
Play Truco Argentino against the computer
1. Overview
| Name | Truco Argentino |
| Type | Trick-taking and calling game with bluffing |
| Players | 2 or 4 (two teams) |
| Recommended age | 10 and up |
| Playing time | one hand 1–3 minutes; a game to 30 points 20–40 minutes |
| Material | 40 Spanish cards (no 8s and 9s), pen and paper |
| Goal | Be first to 30 points – through tricks, envido and bold calls. |
| Difficulty | medium |
What is it about? Truco is the national game of Argentina and Uruguay. Everyone holds just three cards, and whoever wins two of the three tricks wins the hand. Calls make it exciting: "Truco" raises the stake, "Envido" bets on your suit points. Bluffing is part of the game.
2. Cards and material
- Pack: 40 Spanish cards: 1–7 and 10–12 in espadas (swords), bastos (clubs), oros (coins), copas (cups).
- Ranking (high → low):
| Rank | Card |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 of espadas ("ancho de espadas") |
| 2 | 1 of bastos ("ancho de bastos") |
| 3 | 7 of espadas |
| 4 | 7 of oros |
| 5 | all 3s |
| 6 | all 2s |
| 7 | 1 of oros, 1 of copas |
| 8 | all 12s |
| 9 | all 11s |
| 10 | all 10s |
| 11 | 7 of bastos, 7 of copas |
| 12 | all 6s, then 5s, then 4s |
- Envido values: 1–7 count their value, 10–12 count 0.
- Face up and face down: Hands concealed, cards played face up.
3. Preparation and start
- Dealing: Everyone gets 3 cards.
- Mano: The player right of the dealer is "mano" – they lead first and win ties.
- Start: Envido may be called before the first trick; truco at any time.
Start example: You hold the 7 of espadas, 6 of espadas and 3 of copas. Envido: 7 + 6 + 20 = 33 – a strong value.
4. Goal and winning
- A hand: Whoever wins two of three tricks scores the truco points.
- Game: The first to reach 30 points (or 15 in the short version) wins.
5. Play in detail
Tricks.
- Mano plays a card, the other answers. The higher card wins the trick.
- No following suit – any card is allowed.
- Whoever wins two tricks wins the hand. If the first trick is tied, the second decides.
Envido (only before the first trick).
- Two cards of the same suit: sum + 20. Otherwise your highest single card.
- Calls: "Envido" (2), "Real envido" (3), "Falta envido" (up to winning).
- The opponent says "Quiero" (accepted) or "No quiero" (declined – the caller gets 1).
Truco (any time).
- "Truco": the hand counts 2. Accept, decline (the caller gets 1) or raise.
- "Retruco": 3 points. "Vale cuatro": 4 points.
- After an acceptance only the other side may raise further.
Example with Players 1 and 2. Two players, Player 1 is mano.
- Player 1 calls "Envido", Player 2 says "Quiero". Player 1 has 33, Player 2 27: 2 points for Player 1.
- Player 1 plays the 3 of copas, Player 2 beats it with the 1 of bastos. Player 2 calls "Truco", Player 1 says "Quiero".
- Player 1 wins the second trick with the 7 of espadas. In the third trick Player 1 plays the 6 of espadas, Player 2 the 2 of oros: Player 2 wins it.
- Player 2 wins the hand with two tricks and scores 2 points.
6. Scoring
| Call | accepted | declined |
|---|---|---|
| Envido | 2 | 1 |
| Real envido | 3 | 1 |
| Falta envido | up to winning the game | 1 |
| no truco | 1 | – |
| Truco | 2 | 1 |
| Retruco | 3 | 2 |
| Vale cuatro | 4 | 3 |
| Flor (option) | 3 | – |
- Recording: Traditionally with tally marks in groups of five.
7. Special rules and situations
- Flor (option): Three cards of the same suit score 3 points and replace the envido.
- Envido tie: Mano wins.
- Folding ("Me voy al mazo"): You give up the hand; the opponent scores the current points.
- Señas (with four): Partners signal strong cards with gestures.
- Common mistakes: trying to call envido after the first trick; declining truco out of fear.
8. Variants
Standard in this description: 2 players, game to 30, no flor.
| Variant | What changes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| To 15 | Short game. | little time |
| With flor | Three cards of one suit score 3. | traditional |
| Four or six players | Teams with señas. | groups |
When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one computer opponent to 30 or 15 points, with or without flor.
9. Tips for beginners
- Know the big four: 1 of espadas, 1 of bastos, 7 of espadas, 7 of oros.
- Count envido: Two cards of one suit + 20.
- Bluff: Calling truco with a weak hand can work.
- Don't decline too often: Every decline gives away points.
- Win the first trick: It decides ties.
- Keep a high card: Don't play your best card straight away.
- Watch your opponent: Calls give a lot away.
10. Summary in 10 steps
- 40 Spanish cards, 3 each.
- Ranking: 1 espadas, 1 bastos, 7 espadas, 7 oros, 3s, 2s …
- Mano leads first.
- No need to follow suit.
- Two of three tricks win the hand.
- Envido before the first trick (2 cards of one suit + 20).
- Truco 2, retruco 3, vale cuatro 4.
- Declining gives the caller points.
- Without truco the hand counts 1.
- First to 30 points wins.
11. Frequently asked questions
Do I have to follow suit?
No, any card is allowed.
How do I count envido?
Add two cards of the same suit and add 20; 10–12 count 0.
When may I call truco?
Any time during the hand when it's your turn.
What happens if I decline?
The caller scores the points of the previous level.
What is flor?
Three cards of the same suit – 3 points when playing with flor.
How long does a game take?
To 30 points about 20 to 40 minutes.
Origin & history
Truco came to the Río de la Plata with Spanish immigrants and is today Argentina's national game. Bluffing, banter and allowed signals between partners are part of the game. Unlike Brazilian truco, there is envido and often flor.