How to play Catalan Butifarra: rules, cards and strategy

Butifarra (Catalan partnership card game) is played in pairs with a 48-card deck, in which the nine, known as the manilla (nine), is the most valuable card at 5 points. The dealer has the privilege of choosing the trump suit or declaring ‘butifarra’ (no trumps) to play without trumps and for double points.

Card rankings and values

• Manilla (nine): 5 points
• As (ace): 4 points
• Rey (king): 3 points
• Caballo (knight): 2 points
• Sota (jack): 1 point

Each trick won also scores one point. There are 72 points available in each hand, and the game usually ends when a pair reaches 101.

Trump selection isn’t left to chance

No card is turned over to determine trumps here. The choice is made after looking at your hand, and that changes the game completely: the player choosing trumps knows what they’re doing, and their opponents can respond with contro (double), followed by recontro (redouble) from the other pair.

Following suit and beating the winning card

You must follow suit and beat the highest card played. If you have no cards of the suit led, you must play a trump, and if someone has already trumped, you must play a higher trump. You’re only exempt if your partner is already winning the trick.

A tip to get you started

If it’s your turn to choose and you’re not sure, let your partner decide. It’s a very Catalan move, and there’s no shame in it. To learn more about the region’s traditions, take a look at our traditional games of Catalonia.