Get the full experience in CardRules+
300+ games with text-to-speech, game night planner, quick reference cards, and offline access.
Download on Google Play- 2-4 players use a 40-card Spanish deck.
- Deal cards based on player count.
- Turn a card face up to set the trump suit.
- Follow suit and beat the highest card if possible; otherwise trump.
- Declare King-Knight pairs for bonus points.
- Holding all 4 Kings or all 4 Knights wins the hand immediately.
- Aces 11, 3s 10, Kings 4, Knights 3, Jacks 2 points.
- Last trick bonus: 10 points.
- King-Knight declarations earn extra points (trump pair is most valuable).
Rules
Tute is a popular Spanish trick-taking card game played with a 40-card Spanish deck. Known for its accessible rules and lively pace, it is enjoyed throughout Spain and Latin America. The game features a trump suit and special declarations that can swing the outcome dramatically.
Objective
Win tricks containing valuable cards to accumulate points. Reaching the target score or making special declarations (such as Tute) wins the game.
Setup
- Players: 2 to 4 players (partnerships of two for 4 players).
- Deck: A 40-card Spanish deck with ranks Ace, 3, King, Knight, Jack, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2.
- Deal: Each player receives a set number of cards depending on the player count.
- Trump: A card is turned face up to establish the trump suit for the round.
Gameplay
- Leading: The player to the dealer's right leads the first trick.
- Following suit: Players must follow suit and beat the current highest card if possible. If unable to follow, they must play a trump.
- Declarations: Holding a King and Knight of the same suit allows a declaration worth bonus points. A King-Knight in trumps is especially valuable.
- Tute declaration: Holding all four Kings or all four Knights allows a player to declare 'Tute' and win immediately.
Scoring
- Aces: 11 points each.
- 3s: 10 points each.
- Kings: 4 points each.
- Knights: 3 points each.
- Jacks: 2 points each.
- Last trick bonus: 10 points for winning the final trick.
Variations
- Tute Subastado: Features an auction where players bid for the right to choose trumps.
- Tute Cabrero: A three-player variant where each player plays for themselves.
Tips and Strategies
- Always be aware of the possibility of a Tute declaration. Track which Kings and Knights have appeared.
- Lead with high trumps early to strip opponents of their trump cards before cashing side-suit winners.
Tips & Strategy
Keep track of Kings and Knights to anticipate or achieve a Tute declaration. In partnership play, support your partner's strong suits by leading into them.
The obligation to beat the led card when following suit means careful hand management is essential. Save high trumps to capture opponents' most valuable cards.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Declaring 'Tute' (holding all four Kings or all four Knights) ends the hand immediately, making it one of the most dramatic moments possible in Spanish card games.
From which Italian word does the name 'Tute' derive, and what does it mean?
History & Culture
Tute derives from an Italian ancestor and has been a fixture of Spanish card culture for over two centuries. The name comes from the Italian 'tutti' meaning all, referring to the winning declaration.
Tute is a cornerstone of Spanish social life, played in family homes and bars throughout the country. It is one of the first card games many Spanish children learn.
Variations & House Rules
Tute Subastado adds competitive bidding for trump selection, making it more strategic. Tute Cabrero adapts the game for exactly three solo players.
Adjust the target score for longer or shorter sessions. Some groups also play with optional bonuses for winning tricks with specific card combinations.
