Mus players showdown for a chance to play nationally

Mus is a beloved 200 year-old basque card game that combines poker-like techniques and chess-like strategy. Players work in teams using a special deck of Mus cards and of course—speaking basque.

The Winnemucca Basque Club put on their annual Euskaldunak Danak Bat Mus Tournament at the Martin Hotel on Feb. 26, crowning Jesus Reyes and Severiano Lozcano as the first place winners and Scotty Ygoa and Alfonso Ygoa as the second place winners. 

The first place winners received prize money to go towards travel to the North American Basque Organizations Mus tournament in the spring where forty-some teams of the best of the best compete. Players will first compete at the national tournament in Gardnerville, NV and then at the international tournament in Chile if they win. 

“The thing I love most about all the Mus tournaments is the players. It doesn’t matter where I travel to, they are always happy to see you. They enjoy the company. They enjoy a little smack-talking. They enjoy making that one play that wins the game. They share their wisdom and their sense of humor,” said Pauline Salla, a Winnemucca Basque Club member and avid Mus player in an email. 

The Euskaldunak Danak Bat Mus Tournament is just one of the events that the Basque Club hosts before the annual Basque Festival, which will take over downtown Winnemucca for a whole weekend in June (June 9 through June 11), as it has done for over 40 years now. 

The tournament began after a hearty breakfast with players saying “mintza” (Let’s play!) or “mus” (New cards!). Playing in teams for multiple rounds, players use different signs to indicate their hand to their partner. The rules differ from community to community, but the heart of the game remains the same. Score was kept track of by Board of Directors members Maureen Macdonald, Lindsay Mendiola, and club member Gloria Hummel. The event lasted multiple hours, so there were plenty of refreshments throughout the day for players, including picons, served up by Club President Katie Garijo and Vice President Lauren Miller, and delicious food.  

“It’s a time of friendship, friendly competition, and food. [Players] start singing in Basque as the day progresses. It reminds me of how blessed I am to be part of this culture,” said Salla.