What does it mean to be void in a suit?

You are void in a suit when you have no cards of that suit in your hand. If another player leads that suit, you cannot follow suit; depending on the game's rules, you must play a trump (ruff) or are free to play any card.

What is the difference between being void and ruffing?

They are often confused. Being void describes your hand: you have no copas (cups), for example. Ruffing is the play: playing a trump on a trick led in another suit. First you are void; then, if it suits you or the rules require it, you ruff.

What does each game require?

• In Brisca there is no obligation to follow suit, so being void matters less.
• In Tute and in the compulsory-following phase of Guiñote, if you have no cards of the suit led, you must ruff if you can, and if a trump has already been played, try to beat it with a higher trump.
• Cuatrola works similarly: a player who cannot follow suit and has a trump must ruff.

If you want to brush up on these terms, you can read our explanations of what it means to draw trumps and what it means to revoke.

Why does it pay to become void?

Many experienced players get rid of their few cards in a short suit early on to become void deliberately. That way, when their opponents lead that suit, they can win the trick with a low trump. Bear in mind, though: the rest of the table will notice too, and a good opponent will stop leading that suit.

How can you spot when another player is void?

If a player does not follow suit, you know they are void for the rest of the hand. Making a mental note of this is one of the most effective habits for winning games.