Sécarte

Sécarte is a two-player card game of the trick-taking family, closely related to the French Écarté. The game exists in several regional forms, primarily in Portugal and Brazil, where the name sécarte is used. The title derives from the verb écárter, meaning to discard or separate, a reference to the typical discard phase found in many versions.

Gameplay in common Iberian variants centers on bidding and contract play. A standard deck is used in some forms; most versions employ a reduced, 32-card deck (from seven to Ace in each suit). Each round begins with dealing, after which players may discard or exchange cards to shape their hands. A bidding or contracting phase determines which player will attempt to fulfil a contract, usually by winning a specified number of tricks. After the contract is set, players play tricks; the winner of each trick leads to the next. The contract may be scored at the end of the round, with points awarded for fulfilling the contract and sometimes for taking more tricks than the opponent. The other player may receive penalties for failing.

History and related forms: Écarté originated in 18th-century France and spread across Europe. In Portuguese-speaking regions, the game took the local name sécarte and developed its own variations. Today, sécarte survives mainly among enthusiasts and in historical references, with regional rules continuing to evolve.

See also: Écarté, Trick-taking games, Card game history.