How to Play Botifarra

Botifarra is a Catalan trick-taking game for four players in two fixed partnerships, where the 9 — the “Manilla” — outranks the Ace as the highest card in every suit. Learn the rules here, then play free as part of our Spanish 10-in-1 collection.

Overview

Botifarra is a Catalan trick-taking game for four players in two fixed partnerships, partners seated opposite each other. Cards are dealt from a 48-card deck (12 ranks in each of 4 suits, no 10s), and play proceeds counter-clockwise.

Card Ranking

In every suit, the ranking from highest to lowest is: 9 (the Manilla), Ace, King, Knight, Jack, then 8 down to 2. The 9 is promoted above the Ace — this is the signature feature of the game.

Card Points

Each suit contributes 15 card-points (60 total), plus 1 point per trick (12 tricks) — 72 points per hand.

Trumps

The dealer chooses the trump suit for the hand, or may declare Botifarra (no trumps, doubling the eventual score), or may pass the decision to their partner, who must then decide.

Doubling

After trumps are set, either defender may call Contro to double the stakes. The dealer's team may answer with Recontro to redouble, and either defender may finish with Sant Vicenç for the maximum stake.

Playing a Trick

• Follow suit if you can — this is mandatory.
• If your partner is not already winning the trick, you must beat it if you are able to, including trumping in if you have no card of the suit led.
• If a trump has already been played, you must over-trump if you can.
• If your partner is already winning, or you cannot beat the trick, you may not play just any card — you must play your lowest card of whichever suit you end up playing.
• Exception: if your partner is winning, a counting card (9, Ace, King, Knight or Jack) is also allowed instead of your lowest — nothing in between.
• Exception: if you are the second player to the trick and cannot follow suit, you may play a counting card instead of your lowest, hoping your partner (who plays last) can win it.

A trick is won by the highest trump played, or if none, the highest card of the suit led.

Scoring & Match End

Only the team with more than 36 of the 72 points scores for the hand — and only the amount above 36, multiplied by any doubling in effect. A 36–36 split scores nothing. First team to reach the target score wins the match.

Strategy Tips

• Watch which counting cards (9, Ace, King, Knight, Jack) have already fallen — since the rules force everyone to play their lowest when not trying to win, you can often deduce exactly what's left in an opponent's hand.
• When your partner is already winning a trick, feed them your best legal counting card rather than your lowest — the trick is banked either way, so maximising its value only helps your team.
• Hold back the 9 (Manilla) for a trick of its own rather than spending it as a counting card, unless it's the only legal one you have — nothing beats it within its own suit except trump.
• When choosing trumps, a suit you're void or nearly void in elsewhere is a real asset — it lets you ruff in freely once that suit becomes trump.

Frequently Asked Questions

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