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Download on Google Play- Use a 20-card deck (10s through Aces).
- Deal three cards to each of four players.
- Turn one card face up as the retourne.
- Evaluate your hand.
- Bet, call, raise, or fold.
- Reveal hands after betting concludes.
- Brelan (three of a kind) is the top hand.
- Otherwise, highest suit-point total wins.
Rules
Bouillotte is a historical French gambling card game considered one of the ancestors of modern poker. It uses a stripped deck of just 20 cards and features betting rounds with a focus on hand rankings and bluffing.
Objective
Win the pot by having the highest-ranking hand or by being the last player remaining after others fold.
Setup
- Players: 4 players.
- Deck: 20 cards from a standard deck (Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 10s in all four suits).
- Deal: Each player receives three cards, and one card is dealt face up as the 'retourne' (trump indicator).
Gameplay
- Step 1: Players ante into the pot. Three cards are dealt to each player and one card is placed face up.
- Step 2: A round of betting begins. Players may call, raise, or fold.
- Step 3: After betting, remaining players reveal their hands. The strongest hand wins.
- Step 4: Hand values are based on point totals of cards in the same suit. Three of a kind (brelan) is the highest possible hand.
Scoring
- A brelan (three of a kind) beats any point total.
- For point hands, the highest total in a single suit wins (face cards count 10, Aces count 11).
- Ties are broken by the suit of the face-up retourne card.
Variations
- Bouillotte Decides: The face-up card determines which suit breaks ties, adding an element of luck.
- Open Bouillotte: One of each player's cards is dealt face up for added information.
Tips and Strategies
- A brelan is extremely powerful; bet aggressively if you hold one.
- Pay attention to the retourne card, as it determines tiebreakers.
- Bluffing can be effective since the small deck limits hand possibilities.
Tips & Strategy
Bet aggressively with a brelan and use the retourne card to assess your tiebreaker advantage. Bluff selectively in a four-player game.
With only 20 cards, hand reading becomes more precise. Track which high cards have appeared to estimate opponents' holdings.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Bouillotte introduced the concept of the community card (retourne) that influenced later poker variants.
What is the highest hand in Bouillotte called?
History & Culture
Bouillotte was immensely popular in France during the late 18th century and is considered a key predecessor to poker.
Bouillotte was a fashionable game in French salons during the Revolution era, and its mechanics directly influenced the development of poker in America.
Variations & House Rules
Bouillotte Decides uses the retourne card for tiebreaking. Open Bouillotte reveals one card per player, adding strategic depth.
Allow five players by adding the 9s to the deck. Introduce a second betting round for more action.
