The source is Augustino Mponzi’s account at Pagat. Larger tables have additional arrangements.

← On a small screen, scroll the diagram horizontally. →

After trumps are settled, each player has five cards. The exposed trump indicator lies beneath the shared stock; the trick winner draws first. Fans and piles are schematic; the rules specify card counts.
After trumps are settled, each player has five cards. The exposed trump indicator lies beneath the shared stock; the trick winner draws first. Fans and piles are schematic; the rules specify card counts.

01 /

Pack

Remove 2, 8, 9, 10: 36 cards. Rank A–7–K–J–Q–6–5–4–3; values 11–10–4–3–2–0–0–0–0. Deal five each.

02 /

Trumps and tricks

Before trumps are revealed, nondealer may expose one card from their own hand as a prediction of the suit. Dealer then turns the top card of the remaining stock. If the suits match, nondealer must exchange the prediction card for the turned card, even when the exchange is unfavourable. If not, return the prediction card to hand. Dealer does not predict. Put the exposed trump indicator beneath the remaining face-down stock.

Dealer’s right leads; play anticlockwise. Any card is legal, even when the stock is empty: there is no duty to follow suit or trump. Highest trump, otherwise highest led-suit card, wins. Winner draws first and leads; loser draws second. Draw the indicator last. Finish the remaining hands without replenishment.

03 /

Result

Count captured values: 120 total. Higher total wins one victory point, or two if loser has under ten. A tie scores nothing. Winner deals next; after ties dealer stays.

04 /

Original worked example

Spades are trump. Anna leads A♥ and Boris plays 3♠. Boris captures both: 11 + 0 = 11 points. His three contributes no counting value, but it takes the trick through its suit.

Replace 3♠ with 7♥. Anna now wins 11 + 10 = 21 points. One change alters both the owner and the value of the trick. Work out those answers separately: who captures, then how much is captured?

← On a small screen, scroll the diagram horizontally. →

Spades trump; following suit is optional. A: A♥; B: 3♠. A leads A♥; B plays 3♠ and captures both cards. The zero-value trump three takes 11 points.
A leads A♥; B plays 3♠ and captures both cards. The zero-value trump three takes 11 points.

05 /

A practice exercise

Albastini is a Tanzanian point-trick game. Pagat’s detailed account was supplied by Augustino Mponzi; the writer suggests a possible relationship to Portuguese Bisca, but does not establish an invention date.

Lay A♥, 7♥, K♥, J♥ and Q♥ alongside each other. Name the strongest card before counting their individual values. Then hide one card and try again. This is a useful way to avoid automatically placing the queen above the jack.

Common questions

Is there a fixed match length?+

These rules settle a single deal. Agree separately on a series.

Can a player decline the exchange?+

Offering a card is optional; exchanging it after a suit match is compulsory.