Lesson 2 of 4
Tricks and the round
5 min

Truco Tricks and Pardas: How to Win a Round

A round of Truco is three tricks at most, and the player who takes two wins it. Tied tricks change that count, and newcomers lose rounds to them. Six steps cover the cases that catch newcomers.

Step 1 of 6

Best of three tricks
Each player holds three cards, so a round has up to three tricks. In each trick both players play one card, and the stronger card takes it. Whoever takes a trick leads the next. Take two tricks and the round is yours. If one player takes the first two, the third is never played.

Watch a round. Your 3 of espadas takes their 12 of copas. Their 2 of bastos takes your 5 of oros. In the third trick your 7 of bastos takes their 4 of oros. Two tricks to one: the round is yours.
Win with the cheapest card
Your opponent leads the 12 of bastos. Your 1 of espadas and your 3 of copas both beat it, and your 5 of oros does not. A trick taken with the Ancho de Espada counts no more than one taken with a 3, and the Ancho can win you a later trick.
Your move
Take the trick with the weakest card that wins it.
A tied first trick
Your 3 of espadas and their 3 of oros tied the first trick: a parda. After a parda the Mano leads, and your opponent is Mano this round. If you win the second trick, who wins the round?
Question
When a tie is not enough
Your opponent's 7 of oros took the first trick from your 4 of copas, and now they lead the 2 of copas. A tie here is no use to you. When the first trick is won and the second ties, whoever won the first takes the round.
Your move
Take the second trick and keep the round alive.
One trick each, then a tie
You took the first trick and your opponent took the second, so they lead the third. Your opponent is Mano this round. If the third trick ties, who wins the round?
Question
Every trick tied
Both tricks so far were pardas: your 3 against their 3, then your 2 against their 2. You are Mano this round, so you lead the third. If the third trick ties as well, who wins the round?
Question

What you learned

A round is best of three tricks, and the winner of a trick leads the next.
Win a trick with the weakest card that wins it, and keep the strong ones for later.
After a tied first trick, the first trick won outright takes the round.
Win one of the first two tricks and tie the other, in either order, and the round is yours.
One trick each and a tied third: the first trick's winner takes the round. All three tied: the Mano does.