The Paulista trick is a card game of Arabic origin that is very popular in Brazil (Paulista trick / Mineiro trick), in the Spanish Levant (truc) and in much of South America (Argentine trick).

The Paulista trick and the Mineiro trick are played in pairs, although the option for 2 players is also available. Only 40 cards from the English deck are used (eights, nines, tens and jokers aside).

The objective of the game is to get 12 points through challenges (tricks) that are carried out over the course of different rounds.

Card value (from highest to lowest)

Cloverleaf handle (see definition of “handle” below)
hearts handle
spade handle
Diamond or diamond handle
threes
deuces
aces
Kings (K)
Jacks (J)
Queens (Q)
sevens
sixes
fives
Fours

How to play the paulista trick

At the beginning of each round, 3 cards are dealt to each player and a card is revealed on the table. This card will define the "handle" that will be the next card according to the order described above.

For example, if said card is a "6", the handle would be a "7"; or if it is a “3”, the handle would be a “4”.

In turns, each player will throw a card. The player with the highest value card will win that hand and will roll first in the next one (in case of a tie, the previous player will repeat).

The first player or first pair to get 2 hands wins the round. If the 3 hands in a row are tied, nobody adds points.

The trick is a challenge that can be performed at any time during the game and is paid by the winner of the round.

The opposing player or pair must respond with one of the following options:

I do not want. Reject the trick and the opposing pair wins the round.
I want. Accept the challenge which will be resolved at the end of the round.
Trick 6/9/12. Upload the challenge and pass the turn to the opposing player or couple to decide.

So Many Challenges
If there is no challenge, 1 point to the winner of the round
Trick 3 points
Trick 6 6 points
Trick 9 9 points
Trick 12 Win the game

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