Traditional Galician games

Tute (a trick-taking card game) and Brisca (a trump-based card game) have a long tradition in Galicia, alongside outdoor games such as chave (a metal-disc throwing game), the various forms of bolos (skittles) and billarda (tip-cat). Many of these games are still played at pilgrimages and parish festivals.

Card games

Tute has a large following in Galicia, with tournaments held in bars and at festivals. Quick and simple, Brisca is the game for lingering around the table after a family meal. We explain the differences in Tute, Guiñote (a trick-taking card game) and Brisca.

Chave

The aim is to throw metal discs at a target piece or a slot in the ground. It is a game of accuracy in the same family as the Castilian games tanga (a target-throwing game) and chito (a target-throwing game), which we cover in traditional Castilian games.

Billarda

A short stick is struck with a longer one to send it flying as far as possible. This very old game goes by different names in each region.

Festivals and games

At pilgrimages, games went hand in hand with food and music. It is the same spirit found in village squares.