Aluette

Aluette is a distinctive French trick-taking card game played on the Vendée coast of western France, with a special 48-card Aluette deck (a Spanish-suited pack with characteristic bold Iberian imagery). Four players in two partnerships hold nine cards each. Play features secret signals ('mimiques') between partners to communicate hand strength — winks, smirks and grimaces are as much part of the game as the cards.