About Basra
Basra is Egypt's favourite coffeehouse card game: four cards in your hand, four on the table, and every card you play either captures or is left on the table for your rival. Here you play it against the computer with the classic rules on a green card table, and a match goes to 101 points.
A card captures table cards of the same rank, and a numeral card also captures any numeral cards that add up to it: a 9 takes a 4 and a 5 together. Queens and Kings are only taken by their match. A Jack sweeps the whole table, and so does the 7 of diamonds. Clear the whole table with one card and it's a Basra worth 10, except with a Jack, and the 7 of diamonds only scores one on a table of numerals adding up to 10 or less.
At the end of each hand: 27 cards or more score 30, each Jack and Ace scores 1, the 2 of clubs 2, the 10 of diamonds 3, and every Basra 10. If the cards split 26-26, the 30 points carry over to the next hand. Your card shows what it will capture before you play it, so it's also a great way to learn Basra.
How to play
- Each hand starts with 4 cards for you, 4 for the computer and 4 on the table; when the hands run out, 4 more each are dealt.
- Tap one of your cards: the table cards it would capture glow yellow. Tap it again to play it.
- A card takes its match and any numeral cards that add up to it. If it takes nothing, it stays on the table.
- A Jack sweeps the table. Clear the table with any card but a Jack for a Basra worth 10.
- When the deck runs out the hand is scored, and the first to 101 wins the match.
Controls
| Keyboard | The arrow keys pick one of your cards and show what it would capture; Enter or Space plays it. You can also press the card's number, 1 to 4, and Esc cancels. |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Click one of your cards once to see what it would capture (it glows yellow on the table), then click it again to play it. |
| Touch | Tap one of your cards once to see what it would capture, then tap it again to play it. |
Tips to win
- Don't leave a single card alone on the table: the computer will make an easy Basra on it.
- Save your Jack for a full table rich in points instead of spending it on one card.
- The 10 of diamonds, the 2 of clubs and the Aces are free points: take them as soon as you can.
- Count the Jacks that have gone: once all four are out, your heavy cards are safe on the table.
Basra: questions and answers
How is Basra scored?
At the end of each hand: 30 for most cards (27 or more), 1 for each Jack and Ace, 2 for the 2 of clubs, 3 for the 10 of diamonds, and 10 for every Basra. A match goes to 101.
Does a Jack make a Basra?
No. A Jack sweeps the whole table but scores no Basra. A Basra is clearing the table with an ordinary card, or with the 7 of diamonds when the table is all numerals adding up to 10 or less.
What's special about the 7 of diamonds?
It sweeps the whole table like a Jack, and it counts as a Basra if every card on the table is a numeral and they add up to 10 or less. With a picture card on the table, or a bigger total, it sweeps without a Basra.
Is Basra OK for kids?
Yes. It's a family card game with no money or betting, and it trains quick adding and focus. Your card shows what it will capture before you play it, so younger players learn the rules as they go.