Card Game Glossary

Trump & Card Values

Ace

The highest card outside the trump suit. Worth 11 points. In the trump suit, the Ace ranks third behind the Jappa and Mie.

Atout

French word for trump. Used primarily in Belote and Coinchee. Refers to the suit that beats all other suits.

Jappa (Jass)

The Jack of the trump suit — the strongest card in the game! Worth 20 points. In the trump hierarchy, Jappa ranks above all other cards, including the Ace. "Jass" is an alternative name used in some regions.

Jass

→ See Jappa. Alternative name for the trump Jack, the strongest card in the game (20 points). Not to be confused with the Swiss card game "Jass."

Mie

The 9 of the trump suit — the second strongest card in the game! Worth 14 points. In the trump hierarchy, Mie ranks directly behind Jappa and above the Ace.

Trump

The suit that beats all other suits in a round. Determined during the bidding phase. Trump cards have their own hierarchy: Jappa/Jass (J) > Mie (9) > A > 10 > K > Q > 8 > 7.

Declarations & Combinations

Belle

King and Queen of the trump suit together in hand = 20 bonus points. In Belote this combination is called "Belote-Rebelote." Belle must be announced when playing one of the two cards.

Belote-Rebelote

The French term for Belle: King and Queen of the trump suit = 20 bonus points. Used in Belote and Coinchee. "Belote" is said when playing the first card, "Rebelote" when playing the second.

Carre

Four of a kind in Belote. Scoring: Jack Carre = 200 points, Nine Carre = 150 points, all others = 100 points. In Klammern this declaration is called "Four of a Kind" (Vier Gleiche).

Cent

A sequence of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit in Belote = 100 points. In Klammern this declaration is called "Quint."

Cinquante

A sequence of 4 consecutive cards of the same suit in Belote = 50 points. In Klammern this declaration is called "Quart."

Four of a Kind

Four cards of the same rank = bonus points. Scoring in Klammern: Jacks = 200, Nines = 150, Aces/Tens/Kings/Queens = 100 points. In Belote this declaration is called "Carre."

Meld / Declaration

Announcing card combinations at the start of a round for bonus points. Declarations include sequences (Terz, Quart, Quint) and Four of a Kind. Only the team with the highest declaration scores all their declarations.

Quart

A sequence of 4 consecutive cards of the same suit = 50 points. In Belote this declaration is called "Cinquante."

Quint

A sequence of 5 consecutive cards of the same suit = 100 points. The highest sequence declaration. In Belote it is called "Cent."

Roem

The Dutch declaration system in Klaverjassen. Includes sequences (Rij) and Stuk (King + Queen of trump = 20 points). Comparable to melds in Klammern and declarations in Belote.

Stuk

Dutch term for King + Queen of the trump suit = 20 bonus points. Equivalent to Belle (Klammern) and Belote-Rebelote (Belote). Always scores regardless of contract outcome.

Terz

A sequence of 3 consecutive cards of the same suit = 20 points. The lowest sequence declaration. In Belote it is called "Tierce."

Tierce

French term for Terz: 3 consecutive cards of the same suit = 20 points. Used in Belote and Coinchee.

Gameplay & Rules

Coinche

A call in Coinchee by the opposing team that doubles all points for the round. Signals confidence that the bidding team will fail their contract. Can be answered with a Surcoinche.

Follow Suit

Core rule in all trick-taking games: you must play a card of the led suit if you have one. Only if you cannot follow suit may you play a different card.

Kontra

A call by the opposing team that doubles the round value. Kontra means: "We don't think you'll make it!" The taking team can respond with Re.

Must Trump

When you cannot follow suit and an opponent is winning the trick, you must play a trump card (if you have one). This rule applies in Klammern, Belote, and Klaverjassen.

Re

Counter-call by the taking team after a Kontra. Quadruples the round value. Re means: "Oh yes we will — and then some!"

Sans Atout

No Trump mode in Coinchee. No suit is trump; all suits use the non-trump ranking (Ace highest). Total point value: 130 points. You cannot trump — if you cannot follow suit, you must discard.

Surcoinche

Counter to a Coinche in Coinchee. Called by the bidding team, quadrupling all points. Means: "I bet we succeed — and I'm putting even more on the line!"

Tout Atout

All Trump mode in Coinchee. Every suit counts as trump, using trump rankings (Jack = 20, Nine = 14). Total point value increases to 258 points. You must overtrump when possible.

Trick

A trick consists of exactly one card from each player (4 cards total). The highest card wins the trick. 8 tricks are played per round.

Scoring & Points

Capot

Winning all 8 tricks in a round (in Belote). Awards a total of 250 points (162 regular + 88 bonus). The German equivalent is Durchmarsch; the Dutch equivalent is Pit.

Durchmarsch

Winning all 8 tricks in a round (in Klammern). Awards bonus points and is the highlight of any round. The French equivalent is Capot; the Dutch equivalent is Pit.

Generale

The highest possible bid in Coinchee. A single player promises to win all 8 tricks alone — their partner does not play. Success awards 500 bonus points.

Liga

The scoring system in Klammern. Points are converted into "Augen" (eyes). The first team to reach 6 Augen wins the Liga. In Belote, teams play to 501 or 1001 points instead.

Nat

Dutch term meaning "wet" — the playing team failed their contract in Klaverjassen (scored fewer than 82 points). All points go to the opposing team. The greatest shame in Klaverjassen.

Pit

Dutch equivalent of Capot/Durchmarsch: winning all 8 tricks in a round of Klaverjassen. Awards a 100-point bonus on top of the 162 card points.

Game Variants

Klammern

German trick-taking card game for 4 players in 2 teams. Played with 32 cards (French or German deck). Related to Belote, Coinchee, and Klaverjassen.

Klaverjassen

The Dutch variant of the game. Known in Amsterdam and Rotterdam styles. 16 hands per game. "Nat" = failed contract, "Pit" = all tricks won.

Alphabetical Index