BALOOT is a popular trick card game that is played by people of all ages in Saudi Arabia. Particularly popular with the country’s youth, the game, which traces its origins to the Indian Subcontinent, represents the epitome of entertainment in Saudi Arabia and the ultimate social occasion where young people spend hours challenging each other, Al-Madinah daily reported. Played by four players in partnerships of two, youth are known to gather over the weekend and play for hours on end until the champion of the evening is crowned. Suwailih Alharby meets with his friends to play Baloot on a regular basis. Alharby said he always carries around a deck of cards in his car in case someone wants to play.



Mohammad Alghamdi, another Baloot player, said the game requires a great deal of concentration and the ability to keep track of the cards played. Since emotions often run high during an intense Baloot game, Alghamdi said veteran players know how to keep their emotions in check.



“It is a highly-competitive game which requires determination and persistence. Those who are addicted to the game can even start fights and get worked up if they lose. A star player has to be one who understands that it is just a game and losing should not come at the cost of sportsmanship,” he said.



Abdullah Alsubaie has been playing the game for years and is known among his group of friends as one of the best. He said while the method of counting points changes from one region to another, the basic rules of the game remain the same.



Falih Bin Saad Alsubaie, the author of “Principles of Baloot” and a member of the founding committee of the Baloot Club in the Kingdom, described Baloot as an “intelligent game popular in the Arabian Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia.” His book is meant to be used as a reference guide for anyone not familiar with the rules of the game.



“There are lots of other games out there that do not require the same level of intelligence as Baloot does but are still more popular for some reason. The game can differ from one region to another and that is why the book is important as a reference,” he said.



Alsubaie asked Prince Nawaf Bin Faisal, the President of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare, to establish a club for games that challenge players’ mental skills. “Baloot needs more attention and the General Presidency of Youth Welfare can hold tournaments and even festivals. This way, everyone can play Baloot and the tradition and custom is celebrated and solidified by all.”