About Baloot
Baloot is the most popular card game in Saudi Arabia and much of the Gulf, played by four players in two teams with a short 32-card deck. After five cards each, one card is turned face up and the auction begins: buy it as Hokom to make its suit trump, or as Sun to play with no trumps at all. The buyer takes the card and everyone is dealt up to eight.
Win tricks to collect card points, declare projects such as Sira, 50, 100 and 400, and score 2 extra for Baloot, the king and queen of trumps. If the buying team ends with fewer points than its rivals, the rivals take the whole hand. Play with your partner Saud against Fahad and Khalid in a full game to 152 or a quick game to 76.
How to play
- First round: buy the face-up card as Hokom (its suit is trump) or Sun (no trump), or pass. Second round: Hokom in another suit, Sun or pass.
- Follow suit. In Hokom, cut with a trump when you cannot follow and the rivals are winning, and play a higher trump when trump is led.
- Trump order: J, 9, A, 10, K, Q, 8, 7. Other suits: A, 10, K, Q, J, 9, 8, 7.
- Hokom is worth 16 points, Sun 26, plus projects. The buyer's team must beat the rivals. First team to the target wins.
About Baloot
Baloot reached Saudi Arabia from the French game belote more than a century ago and grew into a national pastime with its own words: sun, hokom, sira, kaboot and gahwa. A short 32-card deck, an auction on one face-up card and projects that can swing a whole hand make every deal different.
Tips to score higher
- Buy Sun with two or three aces, or an ace and ten in the same suits. Sun hands are worth 26 points, so a good Sun is the fastest way to 152.
- Buy Hokom when you hold the jack or the nine of the face-up suit plus a couple of other trumps.
- When your partner is winning a trick for sure, throw a ten or an ace on it to add card points.
- Count the trumps that have fallen. There are eight in each suit, and the last trick is worth an extra 10 card points.
Baloot FAQ
What does khasran mean in Baloot?
It means the buying team ended the hand with fewer points than its rivals, so the rivals take the whole hand and the projects.
Who leads the first trick?
The player on the dealer's right, whoever bought the card.
