Strategy and bluffing

Envido points tell stories: what an envido says about the cards, and when to bluff.

The envido talks

Whoever calls envido usually holds two of a suit. Whoever declines probably doesn't. And after an accepted envido both sides' points are out in the open: if your opponent had 27, you know they hold a 7 with a face card of the same suit. Use that to play the tricks.

Bluffing with a points face

Calling envido without points is a cheap bluff: declined, it costs the other side 1; accepted, you lose 2. It pays with a comfortable score and against players who fold easily. In the truco the rule is the usual one: call when your cards pay for the bet, or when your poker face does.

Weak cards, high points

You have 33 envido points with the 7 and 6 of swords and a 4. What's worth more in this hand?

The points are in the envido

You are hand with the 7 and 6 of swords and a 4 of coins: weak cards for the truco, 33 envido points. Make the hand pay.