Traversone rules: how to play, card ranking and scoring

Quick traversone rules reference

Players: 2 or 4
Deck: 40 cards
Cards per player: 10 at the start
Objective: finish with fewer points than your opponent or opponents
Game type: individual trick-taking game
Trump suit: none
Following suit: mandatory when possible
Card ranking: 3, 2, ace, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4

Ace of clubs: 11 points
Ace: 1 point
3, 2, 10, 9, 8: 1/3 point each
7, 6, 5, 4: 0 points
Last trick: worth 1 additional point
Cappotto: taking all 21 available points gives the player a special result instead of adding the points to their score

Objective of the game

The objective of traversone is to collect as few points as possible.

This is the fundamental difference between traversone and conventional trick-taking games. Winning a trick is not automatically beneficial. If that trick contains scoring cards, the points become penalty points for the player who takes it.

The game therefore rewards players who can control which tricks they win and, more importantly, which scoring cards their opponents are forced to collect.

The deck and card ranking

Traversone uses a 40-card deck.

The cards rank from highest to lowest as follows:

3, 2, ace, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4

The ranking determines which card wins a trick. It should not be confused with the scoring value of the cards.

For example, the 3 is the strongest card for winning a trick, but it is worth only 1/3 point. The ace is weaker than the 3 and 2, but normally carries 1 full point.

Dealing the cards

In a four-player game, the 40 cards are dealt so that each player receives 10 cards.

In the two-player version, each player starts with 10 cards and the remaining cards form the stock. Players draw from the remaining cards as the game progresses, showing the drawn card to the opponent.

Once all cards have been played, the hand ends and the points are calculated.

How a trick works

One player leads a card to start the trick.

The other player or players must follow the suit that was led if they have a card of that suit.

If a player has no card of the led suit, they can play any card from their hand.

The trick is won by the highest-ranking card of the suit that was led.

There are no trumps in traversone. A card from another suit cannot win the trick simply because it has a higher rank.

The player who wins the trick leads the next one.

Card values and scoring

The scoring system is central to the strategy of traversone.

The ace of clubs is the major exception to the normal card values. It is worth 11 points by itself.

The scoring cards therefore create different levels of risk. Taking a trick containing a 4 or 5 may have no immediate scoring consequence, while taking a trick containing an ace can significantly increase your penalty.

The final trick

The player who takes the final trick receives 1 additional point.

This matters because a player who has successfully avoided points throughout the hand can still add a penalty at the very end.

The final trick therefore has strategic importance even when the cards in it have little or no value.

The ace of clubs

The ace of clubs is the key special card in traversone.

Unlike the other aces, which are worth 1 point, the ace of clubs is worth 11 points.

This makes it the card that players generally want to avoid taking. If you know where the ace of clubs is and can predict which player is likely to win its trick, you can often make better decisions about which cards to play.

The cappotto

A cappotto occurs when one player takes all 21 points available in the hand.

In this situation, the player who collected all the points does not add those 21 points to their score. Instead, they receive no points for the hand, while every other player receives 21 penalty points.

This special outcome makes traversone different from a simple lowest-score-wins game and can create opportunities for dramatic changes in the overall standings.

How to play traversone with two players

The two-player version begins with 10 cards for each player. The remaining cards are kept aside and used during the game.

After each trick, the players draw from the remaining cards and show the drawn card to the opponent before adding it to their hand.

The player who wins the trick starts the next one.

This continues until all the cards have been played and the hand is scored.

How to play traversone with four players

In the four-player version, all 40 cards are dealt, giving each player 10 cards.

There are no teams. Every player has an individual score and tries to avoid collecting points.

The player who wins each trick leads the next one, while the other players must follow suit whenever possible.

Because three opponents can receive the dangerous cards instead of you, the order in which cards are played and discarded becomes an important part of the strategy.

Strategy tips for traversone

Avoid winning scoring tricks

A trick containing an ace, 3, 2, 10, 9 or 8 can increase your score. Winning such a trick should therefore be evaluated carefully.

Use off-suit cards when you can

If you cannot follow suit, you can play any card. This gives you an opportunity to get rid of a dangerous card while another player takes the trick.

Track the ace of clubs

The ace of clubs is worth 11 points, so knowing whether it has already been played is crucial.

Do not assume that high cards are good

High cards are powerful when winning tricks, but that power can work against you in traversone. A strong card can force you to take a trick containing points.

Control the lead

Winning a harmless trick can sometimes be useful because it gives you control over which suit is played next. The goal is not simply to avoid every trick, but to control the flow of the hand so that other players are more likely to collect the dangerous cards.

Think about the cards remaining in each suit

Following suit is mandatory when possible. If you can identify a suit in which an opponent is already short of cards, you may be able to lead that suit and force them to play a card from another suit later.

Common traversone rules questions

Is traversone the same as tressette?

No. Traversone uses a similar trick-taking structure and card hierarchy, but the objective is reversed. In traversone, players try to avoid points rather than collect them.

Is there a trump suit in traversone?

No. There is no trump suit. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick.

Can you play any card if you cannot follow suit?

Yes. If you have no card of the suit that was led, you can play a card from another suit.

Is the ace the strongest card?

No. The 3 is the highest card, followed by the 2 and then the ace.

Which card is worth the most points?

The ace of clubs is worth 11 points, making it the most valuable and dangerous scoring card in traversone.

Who wins a game of traversone?

The objective is to finish with fewer points. In the four-player format, players who reach the preset elimination threshold can be eliminated, and play continues according to the game format until the winner is determined. In the two-player format, the player who eliminates the opponent wins.

Play traversone online

Traversone rewards a very different type of card-game thinking. Winning tricks is not the main goal: avoiding points, controlling the lead and passing dangerous cards to your opponents are what matter.

Learn the card ranking, keep track of the ace of clubs and think carefully before taking each trick.

Play traversone online on GiochiPiù and put your strategy to the test.