How to Play Cinquillo: Basic Rules

Cinquillo uses a 40-card Spanish deck, usually with four players: all the cards are dealt, and the player holding the five of oros (coins) starts. Players then take turns laying down another suit’s five or extending an existing sequence upwards or downwards. The first to run out of cards wins.

How are the cards dealt?

All 40 cards are dealt, ten to each player. Whoever has the five of oros places it in the middle.

How do you lay down cards?

On your turn, you can play a five of another suit to start a new row, or a card immediately above or below those already in play: the four or six of oros next to the five, then the three or seven, and so on. Remember that the sota comes after the 7, because the deck has no 8s or 9s (we explain why here).

What happens if you cannot play?

You pass. Some groups play with a house rule that requires you to put a chip into the pot whenever you pass; this variation adds a little excitement.

What is a good strategy to follow?

Hold on to cards that block other players, and play those at the ends of the sequences (aces and rey cards) as soon as you can, since it takes a while before they can be played. It is a great game for learning to think about what cards other players hold, much like keeping track of tiles in dominoes.