tute

Tute is a traditional trick-taking card game that originated in Spain and is widely played in Spain and various parts of Latin America. It is typically played with a Spanish-suited deck of 40 cards, consisting of four suits with cards numbered 1–7 and three face cards per suit: Sota (jack), Caballo (knight), and Rey (king). The game is most commonly played by four players in two partnerships, though there are two-player variants.

In standard play, players receive a hand according to the variant being used. Players must follow suit if able; if not, they may play any card. A trick is won by the highest card of the led suit, or by a card that beats according to the local rules, sometimes with a designated trump. After each trick, the winner leads to the next.

Points are awarded based on the value of the cards won in tricks, and the team or player with enough points wins the hand or game. The precise scoring and the number of cards dealt vary by regional rules.

Tute has several regional variants. The best known is Tute Subastado (auctioned tute), which introduces a bidding phase and different contracts that affect scoring and play. Other variants modify the number of cards dealt, the use of trumps, or the conditions for declaring a win.

Originating in Spain, tute has a long history as a traditional card game and remains popular in various communities, with regional rule sets continuing to evolve.