How to Count Points in Belote: Scoring Explained
To count points in Belote, each team adds up the cards in the tricks it won: in trumps the Jack is 20, the 9 is 14, the Ace 11, the 10 10, the King 4 and the Queen 3; in other suits the Ace is 11, the 10 10, the King 4, the Queen 3 and the Jack 2. The team that wins the last trick adds 10. That makes 162 per deal. Belote-rebelote adds 20. If the takers score less than the defenders, they're dedans and the defenders score all 162.
Card values
| Card | Trumps | Other suits |
|---|---|---|
| Jack | 20 | 2 |
| 9 | 14 | 0 |
| Ace | 11 | 11 |
| 10 | 10 | 10 |
| King | 4 | 4 |
| Queen | 3 | 3 |
| 8 and 7 | 0 | 0 |
A quick way to remember it: the Ace, 10, King and Queen are worth the same everywhere (11, 10, 4, 3). Only the Jack and the 9 change: 20 and 14 in trumps, 2 and 0 elsewhere.
Counting a deal, step by step
- Each team adds up the cards in the tricks it won.
- The team that won the last trick adds 10 (dix de der).
- Add 20 for belote-rebelote to the team that held the King and Queen of trumps.
- Add any annonces, if you play with them.
- Check the takers: did they score more than the defenders?
A handy shortcut: count only one team's cards and subtract from 162 for the other. Many players round scores to the nearest 10 at the end of each deal, but GameLake keeps the exact points.
Made, dedans and litige
| Takers | Defenders | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | 70 | Made: takers 92, defenders 70 |
| 72 | 90 | Dedans: takers 0, defenders 162 |
| 81 | 81 | Litige: defenders 81, the takers' 81 go to the winner of the next deal |
| 92 + belote 20 | 70 | Made: takers 112, defenders 70 |
Being dedans is the big risk of taking: the defenders get every point of the deal, plus all the annonces. Only belote-rebelote stays with the team that held it.
Capot: all eight tricks
A team that wins all 8 tricks makes capot and scores 252 instead of 162. The other team scores nothing. It's rare, but worth playing for when your hand is very strong in trumps.
Belote-rebelote
The player holding the King and Queen of trumps adds 20 points to their team, announced as "belote" with the first card and "rebelote" with the second. It always stays with the team that held it, even when that team goes dedans.
Annonces
| Annonce | Points |
|---|---|
| Tierce: 3 cards in a row, same suit | 20 |
| Cinquante: 4 in a row | 50 |
| Cent: 5 in a row | 100 |
| Four Jacks | 200 |
| Four 9s | 150 |
| Four Aces, 10s, Kings or Queens | 100 |
Annonces are optional. On GameLake you can switch them on before a game.
Winning the game
Keep a running total. The first team to reach 1,000 points at the end of a deal wins; if both pass it in the same deal, the higher score wins. GameLake also lets you play to 500 or 1,500, and adds up every deal for you. For the full rules, see how to play Belote, or play Belote with Hops as your partner.
Frequently asked questions
How many points is the Jack of trumps worth in Belote?
20 points, the most of any card. The 9 of trumps is next with 14.
How many points are in a game of Belote?
162 per deal: 152 in the cards and 10 for the last trick. A capot scores 252.
What happens if both teams score 81?
It's a litige: the defenders score their 81, and the takers' 81 go to the team that wins the next deal.
Does belote-rebelote count if you go dedans?
Yes. Belote-rebelote always stays with the team that held it, even when the rest of the deal goes to the defenders.
How many points do you need to win Belote?
Usually 1,000. Shorter games go to 500, longer ones to 1,500.