Baloot
4 players
Baloot is a favorite in the Gulf and is spreading across the region. It is played by 4 players in two teams with a 32-card deck. There is a sun or trump call, and projects like sira, hundred, and baloot. It is fast, lively, and made for good company.
Find a Baloot table near you.
How to play
Players: 4, two teams, partners opposite.
Deck: 32 cards (7 up to Ace in each suit), 8 each.
Deal and calling: Deal 5 to each and flip one card. Each player chooses pass, hokom (the flipped suit becomes trump), or sun (no trump).
Card values: In sun, Ace 11, 10 is 10, King 4, Queen 3, Jack 2. In the trump suit it changes: Jack 20, 9 is 14, Ace 11, 10 is 10.
Projects: Sira (3 in sequence), fifty (4 in sequence), hundred (5 in sequence), four aces, and baloot (king and queen of trump). Bonus melds.
Winning: First team to 152 points wins.
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