Baloot: The No. 1 social activity in Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the culture, and popular with people of all ages

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The screening of the Baloot Championship in Riyadh on television has illustrated the popularity of the game. (SPA)
Updated 02 November 2018
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Baloot: The No. 1 social activity in Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the culture, and popular with people of all ages

  • With only four players and 32 cards, the objective is to outsmart and outplay your opponent.
  • Some believe the game originated in France, where it is known as “Belote,” and migrated with the Ottoman expansion

JEDDAH: The popularity of the trick-taking card game Baloot shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone in the region, but it might to any outsider who saw the second Baloot Championship in Riyadh on television this month.

For generations, Baloot has been played exactly as it is today, and it has remained an integral part of Saudi culture. With only four players and 32 cards, the objective is to outsmart and outplay your opponent: Are you up for the challenge?

For years, Saudis have seen the male figures in their family and circle of friends lose themselves in the game, although women have been known to play too.

“I’ve been playing Baloot for over 40 years with the same people,” said engineer Esam Al-Shihry. “My friends come and go, but with this group of friends, our game plans are set, our partners are known, and we’ve been consistent for years. We’ve hardly ever missed a weekend.  Many of the guys would come and go as their jobs required them, but when they head back in town, we’d always gather in the same majlis, same teacups and same group of players.

“With this close relationship, it’s hard for your partner not to comprehend your ultimate goal in the game set, so when it does happen, let’s just say, he’ll have a hard time holding the cards for a week,” said Al-Shihry, laughing.  

“Why is that?” Arab News asked.

“Well, my child, you just can’t miss a beat.  If they do, all I could say is either run or duck.  That should teach them a lesson,” he said, clearly amused.

Some believe the game originated in France, where it is known as “Belote,” and migrated with the Ottoman expansion (it is also played in countries such as Cyprus, Armenia and Bulgaria). Others believe it migrated from India, reaching the shores of the Arabian Peninsula through trade routes.  

The rules of the Saudi version of the game are simple but strict, requiring risk-taking, strategy and skill. There are two hands to the game: Hokum and Sun, with 32 cards dealt, excluding the numbers 2-6 but including the Joker.

The dealer deals eight cards to each player counter-clockwise. The player on his left cuts the cards then the dealer starts dealing. This technique is used to ensure the dealer doesn’t cheat, and the left player divides the deck in half, places one half over the other then gives it back. Then the dealer gives away the cards, 3-2-public card-3 “only 2 for the buyer,” starting with his right in an order of  three at once, two at once then one single card is placed on the table, or floor, for the “buyer.”  Once the buyer takes the card, they set the game plan in motion by choosing Hokum or Sun. The buyer must be sure that the card he’s buying is his best bet to get as many points in the game.  

To properly claim it, the buyer, who is on the right of the dealer, must use the term “awal,” or first.  The rest of the cards are then dealt until all players have a set of eight each. If the player on the dealer’s right side refuses to buy the card, a “pass” is given and he uses the term “bas” to pass.  If the public card is refused by all, it’s replaced by another, and the same terminology is used for the second round.

There is a catch though: If the bought card is an ace of spades in the second round and the player wants to set the game as Hokum, you can’t use the strong cards with the spade: You have either the club or heart or diamond.  The buyer loses his chance to decide the game plan. It’s a game of strategy and whether you are willing to take a (non-monetary) gamble. Here’s where a player’s experience in the game discretely comes into play.

The key component in the game is to be vigilant. No speaking is allowed, and you must keep a poker face.  

Players must evaluate their cards by strength, and the public card is the key to winning as many points as possible. Whichever hand they’re given, the order of the cards is important by strength.  For Sun, the ace is the strongest, followed by a 10, K, Q, J, 9, 8, 7. As for Hokum, the J is strongest, 9, ace, 10, K, Q, 8 and 7. 

Once players organize their cards, each start throwing one card at a time in rounds, taking into account whichever they see fit for their set.  Again, teammates must stay vigilant and cautious: If your opponent catches whiff of which card set you’re playing, they’ll hamper your attempts every chance they get.

Here’s where some tempers could flare. Teammates could help each other if they catch a glimpse of their game plans. They could have secret codes or moves that would indicate the game is set and it is time to reveal their cards for the win.  Miss out? Then expect a reprimand, of course, all in the spirit of the game. If you miss your cue with a big game play, just watch your head.

Once a round is over and all cards are dealt, the score of each team is added as each card has a ranking: the game set Hokum differs from Sun in scoring. Here’s where the fun lies: The higher the score, the stronger the shock from the players.  The strength of the player in this trick-taking game is decided by how well they score. With no luck involved, it all falls to how smooth your posture is, maintaining a vigilant mind and a good eye.

Sheikha M, a 30-year-old interior designer and her 28-year old sister Noura, a nutritionist, gather weekly at their friend’s house for a night of Baloot. “We’ve been doing this for over three years now,” said Sheikha. “My sister and I are close as well as our friends, and I taught them how to play Baloot the same way my father taught me. An added extra would be getting his temper too, and I am now prohibited from having any dangerous items near me,” she said laughingly.

“We spend hours playing one round after another,” Noura said. “Conversations float from one topic to the next, and we all relax after a hectic work week. I don’t think I would prefer anything else, for that matter. It’s relaxing, you have a good crowd around you, and that’s what the game is all about, except for the flying objects Sheikha vents her frustration through.”

In this month’s Baloot championship, in which more than 2,000 people participated, first-place winners received a prize of one million Saudi riyals. Who said playing cards was a waste of time? Surely mothers will now think twice before scolding their children for playing.


How Saudi Arabia is using innovation, research, and regulation to turn waste into a circular economy success

Updated 05 July 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is using innovation, research, and regulation to turn waste into a circular economy success

  • Engineering, AI and cross-sector partnerships are driving sustainable solutions to manage 110 million tons of waste annually
  • New laws, financial incentives and rising investor interest are reshaping the Kingdom’s waste management and recycling landscape

RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia accelerates toward a circular economy under Vision 2030, experts say universities, research institutions, and business leaders are playing a crucial role in developing innovative waste management solutions that align with national sustainability goals.

In early 2024, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced a waste management plan aiming to recycle up to 95 percent of waste and add SR120 billion ($31.99 billion) to the Kingdom’s gross domestic product.

Saudi Arabia generates more than 110 million tons of waste each year, much of it originating from cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Its waste management market is projected to grow from $5.97 billion in 2025 to $8.72 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence.

To meet this challenge, academic partnerships, regulatory reforms and emerging technologies are coming together to reshape the sector, Sultan Al-Muaythir, chairman of the civil engineering department at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, told Arab News.

Forming knowledge-sharing agreements with leading countries in waste management, he said, is a strategic step toward building a sustainable, locally adapted system that draws on global best practices and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s circular economy ambitions.

To drive innovation in the sector, Al-Muaythir emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary support. Fields like civil engineering, landfill and waste management, geotechnical engineering, and soil sciences all contribute to the design and development of critical infrastructure.

Sultan Al-Muaythir, chairman of the civil engineering department at Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University. (Supplied)

Mechanical engineering plays a key role in advancing collection and treatment equipment, while chemical, agricultural and biotechnology engineering disciplines help analyze waste composition and develop transformation processes.

Electrical engineering, he added, is essential for operating smart systems and managing energy generated through treatment.

Al-Muaythir also pointed to the Kingdom’s updated regulatory landscape, particularly the introduction of the Waste Management Law and its executive regulations, as a strong foundation for encouraging innovation and investment in sustainable practices.

He explained that the next phase calls for faster plan implementation, broader international research collaboration and direct incentives for advanced processing technologies — steps that would speed up the Kingdom’s progress toward its environmental and development goals.

While government action is essential, Al-Muaythir said innovation in waste management is not a luxury, but a necessity for building a clean environment and a functioning circular economy.

He added that individual responsibility plays an equally important role. “Adopting conscious behaviors towards waste and committing to sorting and reuse/recycling constitute the first building blocks in creating a more sustainable future,” he said.

Expanding on this vision, Abdullah Alakel, chairman of the Saudi Scientific Research and Innovation Association, said waste management innovation is a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s broader goal to build a circular and sustainable economy.

Abdullah Alakel, chairman of the Saudi Scientific Research and Innovation Association. (Supplied)

He told Arab News that scientific research is a key driver in tackling environmental challenges — from recycling and waste-to-energy technologies to the use of artificial intelligence to improve sorting and collection processes — ultimately boosting operational efficiency and reducing environmental harm.

To support this ecosystem, the association provides business incubators and innovation accelerators, offering technical and financial assistance. It also facilitates connections between researchers, donors and investors to help turn ideas into market-ready solutions.

Alakel noted that several joint initiatives with academic and industrial partners are already underway, including efforts to convert organic waste into economic products such as fertilizers and biofuels.

DID YOU KNOW?

 

• Saudi Arabia aims to recycle up to 95 percent of its waste by 2040. Waste management sector is projected to contribute $32bn to GDP by 2040.

• Half of the Kingdom’s waste comes from Riyadh (21 percent), Jeddah (14 percent) and Dammam (8 percent).

(Sources: Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the National Center for Waste Management)

Other projects aim to develop scalable recycling technologies and improve overall waste management efficiency.

Beyond research, the association works to foster a culture of sustainability across society. Alakel said it organizes public awareness campaigns, educational workshops in schools and universities, and national competitions that encourage creative, environmentally responsible solutions.

He added that the association plays a critical role in bridging academia and implementation by hosting scientific conferences, building strategic partnerships and supporting national innovation deployment in alignment with Vision 2030’s environmental goals.

Farah Al-Gharib, CEO of Precision & Choice Environmental Solutions, echoed those views, underscoring the opportunity to enhance coordination between stakeholders as Saudi Arabia moves toward a circular economy.

Farah Al-Gharib, CEO of Precision & Choice Environmental Solutions. (Supplied)

She told Arab News that aligning regulations, expanding infrastructure for sorting and collection, and stimulating private investment remain key challenges. Raising public awareness and promoting innovation are also essential to achieving sector-wide transformation.

To accelerate progress, Al-Gharib called for a more integrated and flexible system that encourages public-private partnerships. Activating source-level sorting and offering financial incentives to investors, she said, would help drive growth in the sector.

Clear metrics, such as waste reduction, cost savings and job creation, should be used to measure success.

KAUST's waste collection fleet is equipped with technology that supports efficient operations, from online vehicle tracking to waste bin management. (Photo courtesy of KAUST)

Looking ahead, she expects more companies to invest in smart technologies and expand their collection and treatment networks. Seamless integration across the entire waste value chain — from source to processing and redistribution — is essential, she said, to avoid bottlenecks and uphold the core principles of the circular economy.

“Based on our experience in the sector, we believe that unifying and updating regulations under a single, clear, and transparent regulatory framework would directly contribute to attracting investors, reducing the complexity of procedures and the classification of recyclable products, thereby accelerating regulatory processes and stimulating production,” said Al-Gharib.

She concluded that clear legislation and coordinated responsibilities across authorities are key to scaling up circular economy initiatives effectively and sustainably.
 

 


Hayy Cinema hosting classic movie program for children in Jeddah

Hayy Cinema, which is an Art Jameel initiative, provides a unique approach to film presentation. (@hayyjameel)
Updated 04 July 2025
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Hayy Cinema hosting classic movie program for children in Jeddah

  • The program includes twice daily screenings of classic Arab cartoons that have left a lasting impression on viewers and a complementary range of artistic activities inspired by the films

JEDDAH: Hayy Cinema in Jeddah is running an entertainment program that provides an interactive experience to evoke childhood memories and strengthen cultural bonds between generations.

The program includes twice daily screenings of classic Arab cartoons that have left a lasting impression on viewers and a complementary range of artistic activities inspired by the films.

Hayy Cinema, which is an Art Jameel initiative, provides a unique approach to film presentation. Its facilities include a 168-seat theater, private screening room, multimedia library and an educational exhibition, all designed with architectural inspiration drawn from the history of Gulf cinema.

The children’s program runs until Sunday.

 


Falcon breeders auction to be launched in August

Updated 04 July 2025
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Falcon breeders auction to be launched in August

  • The season will start with the International Falcon Breeders Auction, running from Aug. 5-25, showcasing top local and international falcon farms

RIYADH: The Saudi Falcons Club has announced its schedule for the current year, featuring six major events spanning a total of 122 days in Malham, north of Riyadh, and other venues across the Kingdom.

The event is designed to engage a broad audience interested in falconry, hunting and related cultural traditions.

The season will start with the International Falcon Breeders Auction, running from Aug. 5-25, showcasing top local and international falcon farms.

The Saudi Falcons Club Auction will run from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, serving as a key platform for presenting top local falcons and providing a reliable economic avenue for falconers.

The International Saudi Falcons and Hunting Exhibition, the largest of its kind in the region, will take place from Oct. 2-11. It will feature exhibitors from both within and outside the Kingdom, showcasing the latest equipment and supplies for falconry, hunting, travel, weapons and outdoor adventures.

 


Saudi transport officials conduct more than 317,000 inspections in June

Updated 04 July 2025
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Saudi transport officials conduct more than 317,000 inspections in June

  • Makkah region reported the highest number of offenses at 21,000, followed by Riyadh at 13,000, Eastern Region at 4,508, and Madinah at 3,557

RIYADH: The Saudi Transport General Authority carried out more than 317,000 inspections covering land, sea, and rail transport activities across the Kingdom in June, identifying 51,143 offenses.

Of these, 27,756 were detected through field inspections and 23,387 through automated monitoring, while all efforts involved collaboration with relevant authorities, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Compliance rates were robust, with land transport achieving 94 percent compliance and maritime transport recording an impressive 99 percent. These figures highlight licensees’ strong adherence to the rules and regulations.

Makkah region reported the highest number of offenses at 21,000, followed by Riyadh at 13,000, Eastern Region at 4,508, and Madinah at 3,557. Qassim recorded 1,914 violations, Tabuk 1,316, and Aseer 1,073, while the remaining violations were from other parts of the Kingdom.

 


Japan’s crown prince visits Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo

Updated 04 July 2025
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Japan’s crown prince visits Saudi pavilion at Osaka Expo

  • Visited in the company of Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr.

TOKYO: Japan’s Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Akishino visited Saudi Arabia’s pavilion at the Osaka-Kansai Expo on Thursday, in the company of Saudi Ambassador to Japan Ghazi Faisal Binzagr.

“We were deeply honored by the visit of their Imperial Highnesses,” Binzagr told Arab News Japan. “It was a beautiful visit.”

He noted how much the pair had enjoyed the music of the oud, which was being played as the imperial guests entered the courtyard of the pavilion and which echoed throughout the building owing to the design of the walls and corridors to amplify the sound.

“The imperial couple also enjoyed Saudi coffee and (a selection of various) dates,” Binzagr said, adding that the variety and color of Saudi dates is influenced by the minerals in the soil of each region where they are grown in the Kingdom.

Binzagr said they had discussed the similarities in the cultures of Saudi Arabia and Japan, adding that despite appearing different, they shared a deep pride in their heritage and history, and both countries' ability to link the East and West.

He added that Japan is authentic with what it has but is also able to blend it with foriegn best practices with its great openness. Binzagr said that he believes this makes for something very special that Saudi Arabia also shares with Japan.

“We both value our roots and connectivity, and we both seek to celebrate balance in everything we do,” he said.

At the pavilion, the imperial couple viewed the plan for Riyadh Expo 2030 and indicated they were keen to visit at that time or even before, Binzagr said.

“We are keenly looking forward to more visits between members of Japan’s Imperial Family and members of our Royal Family of Saudi Arabia,” Binzagr added.

”Such visits add a special dimension to an already special relationship.”