Sueca Rules — Complete Guide

Sueca is Portugal's classic trick-taking card game, played here head-to-head with a full 40-card deck. All cards are dealt — 20 to each player — over 20 tricks. The dealer's last card is turned face up to fix the trump suit, which beats every other suit. Capture card points across the deal: the first player to 61 of 120 points wins, and a 60:60 tie has no winner.

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Deck and players

Sueca uses the full 40-card Portuguese deck in four suits: ouros (gold), copas (cups), espadas (swords) and paus (clubs). Each suit has eleven cards: the Ás (1), ranks 2 through 7, the Jack (J), the Queen (Q) and the King (K).

Two players face each other in this version, and the whole deck is dealt: 20 cards each, then the twenty tricks are played until both hands are empty.

The trump: the dealer's last card

After the deal, the dealer's last card is turned face up and stays visible to both players for the whole deal; its suit is the trump for that deal.

The exposed card remains in the dealer's hand and is played as a normal card when its turn comes. Because its suit is known from the start, both players plan around where the strongest trump cards sit.

Card ranking and values

Strength within a suit is fixed for the whole deal: the Ás first, then the 7, then the King (K), the Queen (Q), the Jack (J), then ranks 6 down to 2.

Point values are independent of strength: the Ás is worth 11 and the 7 is worth 10, then K 4, Q 3 and J 2, with the remaining cards worth nothing. The deck totals 120 points.

CardPointsStrength in suit
Ás (1)11Highest
710Second highest
King (K)4Third
Queen (Q)3Fourth
Jack (J)2Fifth
6 down to 20Lowest

Trick play

The non-dealer leads the first trick with any card; the opponent must then follow the led suit if able, and may play anything only when out of that suit.

The strongest card of the led suit wins the trick, and any trump beats every other suit. A card of a different, non-trump suit never wins the trick.

The trick winner leads the next trick, and so on for all twenty tricks that close the deal.

Scoring and winning

Each player adds up the points of the cards captured across the twenty tricks; whoever reaches 61 points or more out of 120 wins the deal.

A 60:60 tie is possible and produces no winner.

Every deal is played in full: all twenty tricks down to the last card, and the result is settled straight from the final totals.

Quick tips for beginners

The Ás and the 7 together are 21 points; save them to snap up the point-heavy tricks instead of spending them on empty ones.

The trump is known to both players from the start and sits in the dealer's hand; watch when trump cards fall so you can keep the last trumps for the finish.

When you are void in the led suit you are free: throw a trump to steal the trick, or discard a worthless card if the trick is lost anyway.

Ranks 2–6 carry no points but do win tricks sometimes; do not underestimate them when the led suit has run out on your opponent.

Frequently asked questions

How many cards are used in Sueca?

The full 40-card deck: Ás, ranks 2 through 7, Jack, Queen and King in each of the four suits.

How many players play this Sueca?

Two players head-to-head: against a friend in a private room, or against a bot at the quick tables.

How is the trump decided in Sueca?

By the dealer's last card: it is turned face up for both players, its suit becomes the trump, and the card stays in the dealer's hand to be played normally.

What is the highest card in Sueca?

The Ás (11 points), followed by the 7 (10 points) — 21 points together out of 120.

Do you have to follow suit?

Yes, it is mandatory: if you hold a card of the led suit you must play one, and you may play anything only when void in that suit.

How many points do you need to win?

61 points out of 120. A 60:60 tie is possible and has no winner.

How many tricks are in a deal?

Twenty tricks — each player plays all twenty of their cards one by one until both hands are empty.

Does the deal end as soon as 61 is reached?

No — all twenty tricks are played out, and the result is settled from each player's final total at the end of the deal.

Is this Sueca game really free?

Yes — you can play Sueca online free at sueca.yeeqia.com directly in your browser, no download or sign-up required to try a table.