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Download on Google Play- Use a standard 52-card deck with 2 to 4 players.
- Deal 4 cards to each player and place 4 cards face-up on the table.
- Redeal 4 cards each when hands are empty until the deck is exhausted.
- Match a table card's value to capture it, or sum multiple cards to your card's value.
- A jack captures all cards on the table regardless of value.
- If you cannot capture, trail your card onto the table.
- Most cards: 3 points. Ten of diamonds: 3. Two of clubs: 2. Each ace: 1.
- Each basra (sweeping all table cards with a non-jack): 10 points.
- Jack of clubs: 1 point. Seven of diamonds: 1 point.
Rules
Basra is a Middle Eastern fishing card game popular in Egypt, Lebanon, and across the Arab world. Players capture cards from the table by matching values, with jacks serving as powerful wild cards that can sweep the entire table.
Objective
Accumulate the most points over several rounds by capturing table cards, scoring bonus points for specific cards, and executing basra sweeps with jacks or exact matches.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 4 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Deal: Each player receives 4 cards. Four cards are placed face-up on the table.
- Redealing: New hands of 4 cards are dealt to each player when all hands are empty, continuing until the deck is exhausted.
Gameplay
- Matching: Play a card that matches the value of a single table card to capture it.
- Summing: Capture multiple table cards whose values add up to your played card's value.
- Jack power: A jack captures all cards currently on the table, regardless of their values.
- Basra sweep: Capturing all table cards with a single non-jack card earns a basra bonus. A jack sweep when only one card is on the table also earns a basra.
- Trailing: If you cannot or choose not to capture, place your card on the table.
Scoring
- Most cards captured: 3 points.
- Jack of clubs: 1 point.
- Seven of diamonds: 1 point.
- Two of clubs: 2 points.
- Ten of diamonds: 3 points.
- Each basra: 10 points (or sometimes 5, depending on local rules).
- Each ace captured: 1 point.
Variations
- Egyptian Basra: The seven of diamonds can capture all cards valued 7 or below from the table simultaneously.
- Lebanese Basra: Uses a stricter definition of basra where only exact single-card matches count.
Tips and Strategies
- Save your jacks for moments when the table is loaded with high-value cards to maximize your capture.
- Avoid leaving a single low-value card on the table, as your opponent can easily earn a basra with a matching card.
- Keep track of how many jacks have been played to know when the remaining table sweeps are possible.
Tips & Strategy
Jack management is the core skill. Playing a jack when the table holds many valuable cards is satisfying, but saving it to deny your opponent a capture can be equally powerful.
Experienced players manipulate the table state by trailing cards strategically, creating combinations that only they can capture on subsequent turns while denying opponents easy basra opportunities.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The name 'basra' is Arabic for the Iraqi city of Basra, though the game's exact connection to the city is debated among historians.
Which card in Basra has the power to capture every card on the table regardless of value?
History & Culture
Basra is one of the most played card games across the Arab world, with strong traditions in Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon. It belongs to the global family of fishing card games that originated in China and spread westward.
Basra is a social cornerstone in coffeehouses across the Middle East, played daily by millions as a way to connect, compete, and pass time together.
Variations & House Rules
Egyptian rules give special powers to the seven of diamonds, while Lebanese rules are more restrictive about what constitutes a valid basra. Both versions keep the jack as the ultimate table-clearing weapon.
Adjust the basra bonus value to change the game's balance between steady capturing and dramatic sweeps. Some groups play with 5-point basras for a more moderate experience.
