How to play Argentine Truco

Argentine Truco is a popular game for two individuals or pairs that uses 40 Spanish cards and is played to 30 points. During the match, players compete in three different challenges: the envido based on suit scoring, the flor, and the truco, which involves winning two out of three available tricks.

The card ranking

This is the first thing you need to learn:

1. As (Ace) of Espadas (Swords) («the wide sword»)
2. As of Bastos (Clubs)
3. Seven of Espadas (swords)
4. Seven of Oros (Gold/Coins)
5. The threes, then the twos
6. As of Copas (Cups) and As of Oros (coins)
7. Reyes (Kings), Caballos (Knights/Horses), and Sotas (Jacks)
8. Sevens of Copas (cups) and Bastos (clubs), sixes, fives, and fours

The envido

Points are calculated by adding two cards of the same suit and adding 20. Figures (Sota, Caballo, Rey) are worth zero. Thus, a seven and a six of Copas result in 33 envido points. A player can call «envido», «real envido», or «falta envido».

The truco

At any time, someone can call «truco», and the hand becomes worth more points. The opponent can accept, call «retruco», or fold. Then there is the «vale cuatro». Here, bluffing is half the game.

Malas and buenas

The first 15 points are called the «malas» (bad ones) and the following 15 are the «buenas» (good ones). The winner is the first to reach 30. If you are familiar with the Valencian game, you might be interested in our comparison between the two.