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Treinta y Tres

Rueda de Casino Figure

RuedaLevel: Advanced2 min read3 citations

Treinta y Tres is a sophisticated, multi-part figure performed within the Rueda de Casino format, a communal dance style characterized by circular formations and frequent partner exchanges [2, 4]. The figure derives its name from the tradition of assigning numerical designations to specific movements, a practice historically linked to the street names of the Miramar district in Havana, Cuba [1]. As a complex call, Treinta y Tres requires high levels of coordination among participants, as the dance is constantly evolving with hundreds of figures recognized globally [3]. In practice, the leader initiates the sequence by executing a series of coordinated turns and hand-holds that guide the follower through a predetermined path, typically involving a combination of 'dile que no' and 'enchufla' mechanics, though the specific execution of the 'Treinta y Tres' variant involves a more intricate sequence of hand-switching and directional changes. The figure relies on the leader's ability to maintain the flow of the wheel while ensuring the follower completes each rotation stage accurately. Because Rueda de Casino is a fusion of various Afro-Cuban and North American dance styles, the figure integrates these diverse rhythmic elements into its structure [2]. Dancers must remain attentive to the caller, as the communal nature of the wheel depends on the synchronized execution of these complex patterns to maintain the integrity of the circle [5, 6].

How it's danced

Lead and follow cues

CountOn1 (breaks on 1 & 5)

Lead

Leader signals the start of the sequence on count 1, initiating a lead-hand hold that transitions into a series of rotational cues across counts 1-8.

Follow

Follower maintains tension in the connection, responding to the lead's hand-path to execute a series of turns totaling 360 degrees across the 8-count measure.

Song timing160-180 bpm

Learn first

Prerequisites

  • Dile que no
  • Enchufla
  • Basic Rueda hand-hold transitions

Watch out

Common mistakes

  • Failing to maintain the circular flow of the Rueda
  • Over-rotating the follower during the transition stages
  • Breaking the connection prematurely before the final count

Don't confuse with

Easily confused moves

  • Treinta y Dos (a different numerical figure with distinct hand-holds)

Around the world

Other names

  • Cuba

    Treinta y Tres

  • International Rueda Scenes

    Treinta y Tres

References

  1. 1.salsaselfie.com
  2. 2.wikipedia.org
  3. 3.wikipedia.org

How to cite this article

Choose a style and copy the citation.

APA

Bailar Editorial Team. (2026). Treinta y Tres. Bailar Biblioteca. Retrieved July 4, 2026, from https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-treinta-y-tres

MLA

Bailar Editorial Team. “Treinta y Tres.” Bailar Biblioteca, 2026, getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-treinta-y-tres. Accessed 4 July 2026.

Chicago

Bailar Editorial Team. “Treinta y Tres.” Bailar Biblioteca. Accessed July 4, 2026. https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-treinta-y-tres.

BibTeX

@misc{bailar-move-rueda-treinta-y-tres, author = {{Bailar Editorial Team}}, title = {{Treinta y Tres}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {Bailar Biblioteca}, url = {https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-treinta-y-tres}, note = {Accessed: 2026-07-04} }

Editor-in-Chief: Paul Thomas Plawin

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