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Download on Google Play- Use a standard 52-card deck.
- Each player antes into the pot.
- Deal 5 cards each; turn up the next card for trump.
- Decide to stay in or fold (folding forfeits only the ante).
- Discard and draw replacements if staying.
- Follow suit, trump if unable, and you must beat the current winning card if possible.
- Most tricks wins the pot; ties carry the pot over.
- Staying in but winning zero tricks means you match the pot (bourre penalty).
- Multiple bourre penalties can cause pots to grow rapidly.
Rules
Bourré is a fast-paced Cajun trick-taking game with high stakes and a unique 'booray' penalty. Players compete to win the most tricks each hand, but failing to win any trick results in matching the pot — creating intense, high-risk gameplay.
Objective
Win the most tricks in each hand to claim the pot. Avoid being 'bourréd' (winning zero tricks), which forces you to match the current pot for the next hand.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 8 players.
- Deck: Standard 52-card deck.
- Ante: Each player antes an agreed amount into the pot.
- Deal: 5 cards to each player. Turn up the next card to set trump.
Gameplay
- Stay or Drop: After seeing their hand, each player decides to stay in or fold. Folding forfeits only the ante.
- Card Exchange: Players who stay may discard up to all 5 cards and draw replacements from the deck.
- Trick Play: The player left of the dealer leads. You must follow suit. If unable, you must play trump. If unable to do either, play any card.
- Must Win: If you can beat the current winning card in a trick, you must do so — no holding back.
- Winning the Pot: The player who wins the most tricks (out of 5) takes the pot. If tied, the pot carries over.
The Bourré Penalty
Any player who stays in but fails to win a single trick is 'bourréd' and must match the current pot, which carries into the next hand. This can cause pots to grow rapidly.
Tips and Strategies
- Fold aggressively with weak hands. The bourré penalty is devastating.
- Trump cards are essential — stay in only if you have at least one strong trump.
- When exchanging, prioritize keeping trump and Aces over partial runs or pairs.
Tips & Strategy
The most important decision in Bourré is whether to stay or fold. With fewer than two likely trick-winners, folding is usually the wise choice.
Reading the table is crucial. If many players stay in, it is harder to win tricks. If few stay, weaker hands become viable. Adjust your stay/fold decision accordingly.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The cascading pot mechanic can create enormous pots — a single bourré penalty can double the stakes, and multiple bourréd players can make pots grow exponentially.
In Bourré, what penalty does a player face if they stay in the hand but fail to win any tricks?
History & Culture
Bourré has its roots in the French game Bouillotte and has been a staple of Louisiana Cajun culture for over a century. It is closely associated with New Orleans gaming traditions.
Bourré is an integral part of Louisiana Cajun culture, played at fish fries, crawfish boils, and family gatherings throughout the bayou region.
Variations & House Rules
Some versions require exactly 3 tricks to win (majority). Others play that any player winning at least one trick avoids the penalty, with the most tricks still claiming the pot.
Cap the pot at a maximum amount to prevent runaway stakes. For casual play, replace the monetary penalty with token-based scoring.
