Barbu Rules: Learn How to Play This Strategic Card Game

Barbu is a traditional and entertaining French card game that blends memory, strategy, and anticipation.
It is usually played with 4 players using a 32-card deck.
Its name comes from the King of Hearts, known as “the Barbu,” an iconic card that players must avoid capturing during one of the rounds.

Equipment and Number of Players

Number of players: 4
Cards used: 32 cards (7 to Ace)
Goal of the game: avoid certain tricks depending on the round, or on the contrary win specific ones
Average duration: 45 to 60 minutes

Each player plays individually, and the game consists of 7 rounds, each with different objectives.

For a more enjoyable experience, choose rigid and easy-to-read cards, such as the Steel Watches cards from Éditions de la Tour, inspired by watchmaking.

Goal of the Game

The objective is to win a certain number of tricks.
Usually, a round is played to three points, but players may agree on a longer format.

Card Ranking

From highest to lowest value:
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7

Setup

  • Shuffle the cards.

  • The dealer distributes 8 cards to each player.

  • The player to the dealer’s left leads the first round.

  • The dealer role rotates each round.

  • Each player, in turn, chooses which round (or contract) will be played — there are 7 types of rounds in a complete game.

The 7 Barbu Rounds (Official Rules)

Each round has a specific goal.
Whenever a player “falls” into the trap of the round, they receive penalty points.
At the end of all 7 rounds, the player with the lowest total score wins.

1. The Barbu

Objective: Avoid capturing the King of Hearts.
Penalty: +40 points if you take the King of Hearts.
Special rule: Play proceeds normally, but as soon as a trick contains the King of Hearts, the player who wins the trick receives the penalty.

2. Hearts

Objective: Avoid capturing any Hearts.
Penalty: +10 points per Heart card taken.

3. Queens

Objective: Avoid capturing Queens.
Penalty: +10 points per Queen.

4. Jacks

Objective: Avoid capturing Jacks.
Penalty: +20 points per Jack.

5. Tricks (Levées)

Objective: Avoid winning tricks.
Penalty: +10 points per trick won.

6. The Last Trick

Objective: Avoid taking the final trick.
Penalty: +50 points if you take it.

7. Reverse (Tout à prendre)

Objective: This time, you want to take as many tricks as possible.
Reward: –10 points per trick won (points are subtracted).

How a Round Is Played

  • The player to the dealer’s left leads the first card.

  • Other players must follow suit if possible.

  • If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any card.

  • The trick is won by the highest card of the led suit.

  • The winner of the trick leads the next one.

  • At the end of the round, points are counted according to the rules above.

End of the Game & Scoring

Each player chooses one of the 7 rounds once.
After all rounds have been played, penalty points (and bonus points from “Tout à prendre”) are added.
The player with the lowest score wins.

Use a score sheet or tracking table to keep track of points.

Strategic Tips

  • Watch which cards have already been played to anticipate tricks.

  • Don’t play high cards too early in risky rounds.

  • Avoid being the last to play on a dangerous trick (especially in “Last Trick”).

  • Keep mid-value cards to control key moments.

If you want, I can also format this into a webpage-style version, a printable PDF, or a shortened summary.

Playing Cards - Steel Watches

Pour jouer au trut , découvrez "Steel Watches", le jeu de cartes inspiré par l'horlogerie

"Steel Watches" est un jeu de cartes composé de 52 cartes de poker de grande qualité.

Fidèle à l’esprit des "Éditions de la Tour", il puise son inspiration dans les lignes et les courbes des montres en acier.

Production limitée à 1,000 exemplaires au monde

 Découvrir le jeu