Bela rules

1.Players and cards

Bela is played by four in two teams of two, partners sitting opposite each other, with a 32-card deck, seven to ace in each suit. The deal and the play go counter-clockwise. Two can play as well, each for themselves.

Each player gets eight cards: six face up in the hand and two face down, the talon, which are picked up once the trump is called.

2.Calling the trump

Starting next to the dealer, each player either calls a trump suit or passes. If the first three pass, the dealer must call: the dealer cannot pass.

3.Card values

The last trick adds 10, so the cards of a deal are worth 162 points.

4.Declarations

Sequences and four of a kind are declared on the first trick. Only the side with the highest declaration scores its declarations; the other side scores none. The bela is declared when its first card is played.

5.Belot

All eight cards of one suit in a single hand are called a belot, and the side holding it wins the whole game at once.

6.The fall

The side that called the trump has to score more than its opponents, declarations included. If it does not, it falls: the opponents get the whole deal, the caller’s declarations and bela too.

7.Equal points

When both sides score the same, the side that called the trump falls as well. Some tables hold its points over for the winner of the next deal or let each side keep its own instead; the app lets you choose.

8.Winning

The first side to reach 1001 wins; a shorter game goes to 501 or 701. When both pass it in the same deal, the side with more points wins.

9.Keeping the score in the app

After each deal tap “New round”, choose who called the trump, count the declarations and enter the points of one side; the app works out the other side and shows what will be written down before you save.

“Belot” ends the game for the side that held it. “Fall” records a lost deal without entering points.