Belot (Bela) is played in pairs up to 1001 points, and a clean game is worth 162 points in total. Whoever calls trumps must collect more than half – otherwise they “fall” and all the points go to the opponents. That makes every decision in belot a question of risk. If the rules aren’t clear yet, read the belot rules first.
1. Know what trumps are worth
Cards in trumps score differently from other suits:
- jack 20, nine 14, ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3;
- outside trumps: ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3, jack 2 and nine 0.
The jack and nine of trumps carry 34 points together and are the strongest cards in the game. Whoever holds them controls the trumps.
2. When to call trumps
When you call, you see only six cards – the two talon cards are still unknown. Good signs for a call are:
- the jack of trumps and at least two more trumps, or the nine and ace of trumps plus one more trump;
- at least one ace outside trumps, which will surely win a trick;
- a declaration in hand (a sequence or four of a kind) – it raises the total of the game, but brings you sure points.
Without the jack or nine of trumps, call only if you are the dealer and have to – or if the rest of your cards are exceptionally strong. When you have the right to declarations, your partner automatically has it too, so their cards work for you as well.
3. Count to the pass mark
In a clean game you need 82 points to pass. Every declaration raises the total: with a 20-point declaration the game is worth 182 and the pass mark is 92; with a 50-point declaration it is worth 212 and the pass mark is 107. So before calling, think about your opponents’ chances of declarations – theirs raise your pass mark too.
Don’t forget two extras: the last trick is worth 10 points, and whoever takes all the tricks gets 90 more.
4. Pull the trumps
If you called and hold strong trumps, lead trumps early. That takes away the trumps your opponents would use to cut your aces. Once the trumps are out, your aces and tens outside trumps become safe tricks.
Count the trumps: there are eight in play. When you know how many have gone, you know when it is safe to lead a plain suit.
5. Use the higher-card rule
In belot you must follow suit and play a higher card if you have one; if you can’t follow suit, you must trump. You can turn this rule to your advantage:
- lead a suit in which your opponent probably holds only one high card – they have to spend it;
- don’t play a ten outside trumps while the ace of that suit is still out, unless your partner has already won the trick;
- when your partner is winning the trick, give them points (a ten, an ace); when an opponent is winning, give them zeros (a seven, an eight).
6. Bela must be announced
The king and queen of trumps in the same hand are worth 20 points, but only if you say “bela” when you first play one of them. Don’t forget – an unannounced bela is 20 points thrown away.
7. The end of the game
As the game nears 1001, the maths changes. In the last deal you don’t need half the game – it is enough to collect the points you are missing and win a trick. That is why calling with a weaker hand sometimes pays, and sometimes it is better to let your opponents take the risk.
Frequently asked questions
How many points are there in belot? 162 in a clean game; declarations are added to that total.
What is the strongest card in belot? The jack of trumps (20 points), then the nine of trumps (14).
What does it mean to fall in belot? If the pair that called trumps doesn’t collect more than half the points, all the points of that deal go to the opponents.
The best way to practise these tips is a four-player game – take a seat at the table on Društvene Igre.