How to Win at Tressette: Strategy Tips
To win at Tressette, win the Aces, the Threes and the Twos, and save a sure winner for the last trick. Lead only cards the opponents can't beat, throw weak cards while the deck lasts, and once it is gone count the suits that have been played. With a partner, add points to their winning tricks and never overtake them.
1. Lead a card nobody can beat
The 3 beats everything in its suit, so the 2 becomes the best card of a suit once the 3 has been played, and the Ace the best once the 3 and the 2 are gone. Lead a card when it is a master (no higher card of its suit is still out): you win the trick and keep the lead.
2. Don't lead a lonely Ace early
An Ace is worth a full point but it is only the third strongest card. If the 3 and the 2 of its suit are still out, an opponent can take it. Keep the Ace until the higher cards have been played, or lead it when you can't be beaten.
3. Use the deck: throw weak cards early
With two players you can play any card while the deck lasts. Use it to throw away your weakest cards (4s, 5s and 6s of short suits) and to keep 3s, 2s and Aces for tricks that matter. Winning a trick with a cheap card also gives you the first draw.
4. Save a winner for the last trick
The last trick is worth a whole point, as much as an Ace. Keep a sure winner (a master, or a 3) for the very end rather than spending it on a trick with no points.
5. Help your partner
In partners, don't overtake a trick your partner is already winning. Instead add a card with points: an Ace, a 3, a 2 or a face is worth more in their trick than in your hand.
6. Count the suits once the deck is gone
When the deck is empty you must follow suit, so the game becomes a counting game. Each suit has 10 cards: keep track of how many of each suit have gone, and of the 3s, 2s and Aces in particular. Knowing who is out of a suit tells you who can't follow, and when your last card of it is a master.
7. The table signals (busso, striscio, volo)
At a physical table, four players may use three signals while playing a card. Their meaning varies by region, but the usual ones are: busso (a knock on the table) for "I hold strong cards of this suit, lead it back to me"; striscio (sliding the card) for "I have more cards of this suit"; and volo (the card flies) for "I have no more cards of this suit". GameLake doesn't use signals: your partner Hops plays by the cards alone, so count and play simply.
Frequently asked questions
How do I win at Tressette?
Win the Aces, 3s and 2s, lead only master cards, throw weak cards while the deck lasts and save a sure winner for the last trick, which is worth a whole point.
Should I lead my Ace first?
Not while the 3 and the 2 of that suit are still out: they beat it. Lead the Ace when it is the best card left in its suit.
What is a master card in Tressette?
The best card left in a suit: for example the 2 once the 3 has been played. Leading it wins the trick.
How do I help my partner at Tressette?
Don't overtake a trick they are already winning, add a card with points to it, and keep your best cards for tricks that are still open.
What do busso, striscio and volo mean in Tressette?
They are signals between partners at a physical table: busso (knock) usually means you hold strong cards of the suit, striscio (slide) that you have more of it, and volo (fly) that you have none left. They vary by region and are not used on GameLake.