What is card counting in Spanish-pack card games?

Card counting means remembering which cards have already been played so you know which ones are still to come. It is a basic skill for playing well with a Spanish pack: knowing whether the as de triunfo (trump ace) has been played, or how many trumps are left, can completely change which card you should play.

What to count first

• The ases (aces) and treses (threes), which are worth the most points.
• The trumps that have been played.
• The suits in which someone is void.

A simple trick

Rather than remembering every card, just count the trumps: there are ten in a 40-card pack. If seven have been played and you hold two, you know there is only one left outside your hand.

Counting points

In Brisca (Spanish Briscola), there are 120 points. If you keep track of your own, you will know when you have passed 60 and can relax as you play. We explain this in how to play Brisca.

Is it cheating?

No. At the card table, remembering what has been played is simply good play. You can train your memory, as we discuss in card games and memory.