This page is based on a contribution from Jean-Pierre Coulon, edited by Nick Wedd and John McLeod. Its most interesting form is the 4 player version, which is described first. Card point values Cards in the trump suit both rank and score differently from those in other suits. Belote for four players Players form two teams of two partners.
Partners sit at opposite seats.
The direction of deal, bidding and play is anti-clockwise. The pack is never shuffled at Belote. The dealer gives a set of three cards to each player, then another set of two cards, and turns the next card face up. If this player passes, the next player can take or pass, and so on around the table. If all 4 players pass, each in turn has a second chance to take, choosing a trump suit other than that of the face up card.