Definitions
Learn how to play Truco with the Game Rules.
- Match
- Game worth points obtained at the "hand"
- Hand
- fraction of the game that is worth 1 point and may have its value increased to 3, 6, 9 and 12; hands are played in better of 3 games
- Round
- fraction of the hand, happens in the rounds that the players shows a card
- Flip card
- card that is turned to define the 4 hand shackles
- Shackles
- the four biggest cards in the game, they are decisive and can't tie
- Zap", "Gato" or "Zorro
- the highest card in the game and its suit will always be Clubs; also called "7 of clubs"
- Copa, Copilha ou Copeta
- second largest and its suit will always be hearts; also called "7 of hearts"
- Espada" or "Espadilha
- third largest and its suit will always be Spades; also called "7 of spades"
- Golds, "Pica-Fumo", "Bebinho" or "Mole"
- fourth largest and your suit will always be Diamonds; also called "7 of diamonds"
- Truco, Three Points
- initial proposal to raise the hand value to 3 points
- Six, "Meio-Pau", "Meia-Vara", "Meio-Saco"
- proposal to raise the hand value to 6 points
- Nine
- proposal to raise the hand value to 9 points
- Twelve or Fall
- proposal to raise the hand value to 12 points
- Draw, "Embuchar", "Cangar", "Melar"
- when, in a given round, the highest card of each pair is of the same value (except shackles)
- Covered card (hide)
- a card that is worthless, is played face down; an option available only in the 2nd or 3rd round
- Hand of Eleven
- when a pair makes 11 points in the match
- Iron Hand (Dark)
- when the two pairs score 11 points in the match
Videos
To get to know the game better and learn how to play at GameVelvet, watch our videos demonstrating how to trick, order six, play cards on the table, hide them, pass signals to your partner and other actions.
The device used in the videos is an Android smartphone, however, the gameplay remains the same on devices that run iOS, such as iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Truco Signs
The four facial signals available at GameVelvet are always the same, but the relationship between the signal and the shackles changes with each round.
That is, showing your tongue can mean that you have the 'zap' or 'gato' in one round and in the next, it can mean a sprat or swords.
Always follow the graphic that appears in the lower right corner in the Windows, Mac, Linux application and in the lower left corner on iOS, Android and Facebook.
All players see the signals that are exchanged by the pairs, but only the partners know what each one represents. These can be sent at any time during the game, so feel free to signal your plays!
Do you want to know how the facial signs are used in real life games?
Access the official GameVelvet blog and learn what Truco Signs are the most used by players of this game in face-to-face games."
History of Truco
The origin of the game is uncertain, but it is believed to have been born in 17th century England and has fallen into disuse for many decades.
It resurfaced in France as 'Truc', which means 'trick' in French, and also spread in Spain, where it received the name 'truco', with the same meaning.
Other words present in the game, such as 'manilha' (of Spanish origin), 'zape' (Italian) and 'espadilha' (Portuguese) contribute to this uncertainty.
Years later, the card arrived in Brazil with Portuguese colonizers and Italian and Spanish immigrants who, during the Gold Cycle
teemed in the cities of Minas Gerais, and became the favorite leisure activity of the tropeiros at the time.
Some scholars speculate that it was already played in Bahia, long before the European immigration. Gambling is speculated to have been brought by the first exiles.
Yet another version indicates that it was brought by the court of D. João VI.
Fact is, it was so well received by Brazilians that, throughout the ages, it remains one of the most popular pastimes in the country
and won regional sports such as Truco Paulista, Truco Mineiro and Truco Gaudério.
Gaudério, also known as Truco Cego or Gaúcho, uses a Spanish deck, very popular in Argentina and in the south of Brazil - Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. Visit the game's page on wikipedia for more curiosities.
Recognized for its gift of bringing people together, you can have fun playing online on the GameVelvet network and make new friends!
Sports and leisure!
In São Paulo, the Federação Paulista de Truco ( São Paulo Federation of Truco - FPT) represents about 4 million players, and in Brazil that number exceeds 20 million players.
The love is so great that the game entered the official State calendar: every second Sunday of the month of July is celebrated the Truco Day (Law nº 5.285 of September 8, 1986).
There are 8 Federations throughout Brazil: São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Brasília.
Choose the best variation
Rules |
Paulista Rules |
Mineiro's Rules |
Gaudério's Rules |
Number of Players |
4 (in pairs) |
4 (in pairs) |
4 (in pairs) |
Deck type |
Traditional 52 cards |
Traditional 52 cards |
40 cards Spanish |
Removed Cards |
Wildcards, 8, 9 and 10 of all suits |
Wildcards, 8, 9 and 10 of all suits |
Wildcards, 8, 9 of all suits |
Distribution of Cards |
3 for each player |
3 for each player |
3 for each player |
Goal |
12 points |
12 points |
24 points |
Hand |
2 to 3 rounds = 1 point |
2 to 3 rounds = 2 points |
2 to 3 rounds = 1 point |
Hand score Increase |
3, 6, 9, 12 |
4, 6, 10, 12 |
- Truco =
- 2 points
- Retruco =
- 3 points
- Vale 4 =
- 4 pontos
|
Flip card |
The card that is turned to define the 4 hand shackles |
--- |
--- |
Shackles |
All cards that are one point above the 'call', follows an example:
Call: king of diamonds
Shackles: (bigger ? smaller)
- Ace of clubs
- Ace of hearts
- Ace of spades
- Ace of diamonds
|
Fixed: (bigger ? smaller)
- 4 of clubs
- 7 of hearts
- Ace of spades
- 7 of diamonds
|
Fixed: (bigger ? smaller)
- Ace of spades
- Ace of clubs
- 7 of spades
- 7 of diamonds
|
Order of shackle suits |
(bigger ? smaller)
- Club
- Hearts
- Spades
- Diamond
|
--- |
--- |
Cards order |
(bigger ? smaller)
- Shackles
- 3
- 2
- A
- K
- Q
- J
- 7
- 6
- 5
- 4
|
(bigger ? smaller)
- Shackles
- 3
- 2
- A
- K
- Q
- J
- 7
- 6
- 5
- 4
|
(bigger ? smaller)
- Shackles
- 3
- 2
- 1 of hearts
- 1 of diamonds
- 12 (Kings)
- 11 (Horses)
- 10 (Jacks)
- 7 of clubs e 7 of hearts
- 6
- 5
- 4
|
Covered card (hide) |
Worthless |
Worthless |
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