General

The Rueda de Casino is a Cuban group dance. It is danced on lively, up-beat, salsa music. Basically, everybody dances as a couple. The couples stand in a circle. During the dance there is a constant changing of partners, which makes it a vivid and joyful spectacle. The Rueda can be danced with a minimum of two couples. However, three or more couples is advisable. The beauty of the moves can then better be shown. More than nine or ten couples is inadvisable because it gets tougher to keep the circle at a circular shape. I would suggest an optimum of five or six couples.
There are three groups of participants:
The caller, who shouts the names of the moves that are to be danced. He may also call the moves by hand signals in a loud club setting.
The leaders, usually the men, who perform as the leading elements in each couple. The caller is usually a leader as well.
The followers, usually the ladies, who perform as the following elements in each couple. In this text, I will refer to followers as 'ladies'.
Leaders usually keep their eyes on the caller. Executing the moves, however, often places them with their back to the caller for a few moments. Leaders and ladies can help each other: if they see that someone missed the call, call it out for them. But remember: although the Rueda is a group dance, one still dances as a couple. It is a nice gesture to have at least one moment of eye-contact with your actual partner.
Steps are small, especially backwards. Be aware of the space and the local ebb and flow of the movements relative to the nearest neighbors, as well as to the rueda as a whole.
The default movement for leaders is counterclockwise, which means that they go backward. Dancing clockwise is called ariba. In this text, 'In' and 'Out' refer to directions relative to the center of the Rueda circle. Unless otherwise specified, all turns refer to the ladies turn.

1. The Rueda de Casino is a Cuban group dance. It is danced on lively, up-beat, salsa music. Basically, everybody dances as a couple. The couples stand in a circle. During the dance there is a constant changing of partners, which makes it a vivid and joyful spectacle. The Rueda can be danced with a minimum of two couples.
2. “Rueda de Casino” (Rueda) is a Cuban style of Salsa that is danced in a circle of friends where a caller calls dance pattern sequenced moves that sometimes create a rotational switch of partners around the circle, fun shared team moves that can build terrific teamwork or result in hilarious mayhem.
3. Rueda de Casino is a fun and exciting dance that originated in Cuba somewhere around the 1950’s. Rueda is the Spanish term for wheel, hence the circular formation. The dance typically consists of 2 or more couples dancing in a circle (rueda) with frequent partner exchanges.
4. Rueda de Casino was born in the casinos of Cuba in the 1950s to the sounds of the band 'Conjunto Casino.' In the early 1990s, the dance migrated to the shores of Miami. Many dance schools continued its traditional form, while others adapted it to mainstream the dance.

In 2017, the International Rueda de Casino Multi Flash Mob drew 230 unique groups dancing Rueda de Casino. The differences between the Miami-style Rueda de Casino and the Cuban-style Rueda de Casino are stark, and these differences can be seen throughout the performances of the 230 groups that participated in 2017.

Clockwise opening
Starting the Rueda (beginners course)
All the couples stand in a circle. Leaders and ladies stand opposite while the leaders left hand holds the ladies right hand. On the first beat, both step forward to each other, leaders step with their right foot, ladies with their left foot. The leaders right hand and ladies left hand gently pushes to each other. On second and third beat they both step back to the original position. On the first beat of the second strofe, both step back, leaders left foot, ladies right foot so they are standing side by side, still holding hands. On second and third beat they both step back to the original position. This is repeated until the caller calls out the opening move.

Counter Clockwise opening
PA'EL MEDIO or PA'EL CENTRO
To the middle
Hand sign: unknown
Main opening of the Rueda for advanced dancers. Leaders face counterclockwise. Partners rock, in closed position, in and out of the wheel, poiting up and out, then down and into the circle with their joined hands. Continues until another call (arriba, abajo, dile que no).

Arriba: Counterclockwise (forward for the leader) around the circle. Partners in closed position.

Abajo: Clockwise (backward for the leader) around the circle. Partners in closed position.

Variations of Dame

DAME (LA) UNA
Give me one
Hand sign: one finger up
This move gets things moving. Let go of your partners right hand as you both open to the center of the circle. Leaders right arm moves down and under next partners left shoulder to start a cross body lead, a 'dile que no'. Hand sign: one finger up.

DAME OTRA or ESA NO ME GUSTA
Another one or 'I don't like this one'
Hand sign: one finger up
Another pick-up and cross-body lead.

DAME DOS (with more than 2 couples) or TRES or QUATTRO
Give me two
Hand sign: two fingers up or peace sign
This is called just as the leaders take their next partner, (before the cross body lead). Leaders put their right hand on ladies back and left hand on her right shoulder, move them to your left (out of the way) and start them on an inside turn. This is all done in two counts. Quickly move to the second lady to the right. Ladies, once started on the inside turn (left turn), continue solo and wait for the next leader to pick you up out of the turn. If the call is 'Tres' or 'Quattro', you move to the third/fourth lady. Better hurry!

DAME DOS (with 2 couples)
Give me two
Hand sign: two fingers up or peace sign
Here you end up back with your original partner! With 2 couples, this call has a special feel. leaders must quickly 'do-se-do' around each other to get back to their original partners (come into her on her left side so you can execute the dile que no). To add some flair to it, just as you break to do-se-do around the other leaders, turn your ladies by her R shoulder (IT, clockwise). The leaders must be especially quick to get around in this.

DAME DOS CON DOS
Give me two with two
Hand sign: Two fingers up
Same as Dame Dos, but with two hand claps as you pass through the center. Depending on your dance school, the Dame Dos move is already done with two handclaps. In that case, this call is not used.

DAME DOS CON PERESTROIKA
Give me two with perestroika
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Dos but with a slide step as you step to center.

DAME DOS CON VUELTA
Give me two with a turn
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Dos but leaders spin to the left as they start ladies spin

DAME UNA Y UNA PA'ARRIBA
Give me one, and go backwards
Hand sign: unknown
Same as Dame Una, but you walk immediately back (ariba) to the lady where you came from, and with a cross boy lead you switch into position.

DAME Y NO LE LEGUES
Give me two, and don't arrive
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders 'pretend' to go get the next ladies, but instead, turn to their right and do a hook step back to the original ladies. Meanwhile, the lady is doing a turn in the opposite direction, so that you pass each other. Pick her up for a cross body lead to switch into position.

PASEALA
Pass her
Hand sign: unknown
You can end a dile que no or dame (or may move, really) by walking her around behind you, holding her right hand the whole time. Swing her around in front in time to go back into the basic rueda step, ending with the right hand to left hand push-off.

Variations of Enchufle

ENCHUFLE
Connect.
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn
After cross body lead or stop and go, pulse the lady and bring her to the right side under the left arm as she does a half turn to face you, (leaders move to where ladies started). Then step to the inside to pass them. Don't let go with the left hand until the last moment.

DOBLE ENCHUFLE or ENCHUFLE DOBLE
Double connect
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn, with pointer and pinkie fingers up; two fingers means double
Same as above but after you start to bring her to the right under your left arm, stop her half way with the right hand on the back, and send her back. Do the move again this time continue as above.

ENCHUFLE CON VUELTA
Connect with a turn
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn, plus the added turn sign, pointer finger up moving in circular motion
Same as above, but after she passes all the way to right under the leaders left arm, with continuous motion the leaders left arm comes down and goes back up. The leader turns to the right under his arm and immediate goes for the next lady passing his last partner on the inside.

ENCHUFLE Y CASTIGALA
Connect and punish her
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn, and...
Same as the single and double Enchufle, but adding a bit of abuse to the end. After she completes her move to the right side, and as the leader steps to the inside to pass her, with his right hand he taps the top of her right hand (which he is still holding) and then taps her forehead. All this in time to the music.

FESTIVAL DE ENCHUFLE
Festival of connecting
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn, and ...
Do 3 (or 4 if called) Enchufles in a row with 1,2,3 or 4 claps just before picking up the next girl. Do 1 clap after the first, 2 after the second, etc.

A LA PISCINA
In the pool.
Hand sign: Closed fist held up, arm moves up and down, like pulling on a truckers horn, and...
Same as an Enchufle, except you put your hands together and dive up to the next girl.

PRINCIPE BUENO
Good prince
Hand sign: unknown
An enchufla, except kiss the ladies's right hand as you leave her to pick up your new partner.

PRINCIPE MALO or CASTIGALA
Bad prince or Punish her
Hand sign: unknown
As Principe Bueno, but instead of the kiss, mime a slap to the Princess'right hand!

MATA LA MOSCA or MATA LA MOSQUITO
Kill the fly or Kill the mosquito
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then gently tap your partner's forehead as you leave her, killing the fly or mosquito on it.

ENCHUFLA, PERO NO DILE QUE NO
Connect without the cross body lead
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla without the cross-body lead. Leaderss finish this pattern facing counterclockwise, and do not pick up the next partner. This can be used to initiate arriba, abajo, aburrete, pa' el medio, etc.

PELOTA UNA or DOS or TRES
The ball one or two or three
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then one, two or three claps as you leave to pick up the next partner. The claps are initiated on the leaders left foot, just after leaving your partner to pick up your new lady.

PELOTA CON DOS Y DOS
The ball with two
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla followed by two slow stomps, then two claps at the same tempo, then pick up the next lady.

PELOTA CON FLY
The ball with fly
Hand sign: unknown
Same as above, except you wait the full 8 counts of music with arms up, looking anticipatorily into the sky for the 'fly ball'.

EL GNOMO
The gnome
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, but with the leaderss crouching like gnomes as they dance under the ladies's right arm to the next partner.

LA MOMI
The mummy
Hand sign: unknown
Do an Enchufla pero no dile que no. Then the leaders and ladies salsa mummy-like in and out towards, then away from each other until the caller stops the terror with 'alli nada mas'. Then do a cross body lead to get back into the Rueda.

ENCHUFLA CON VUELTA
Connect with a turn
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla or enchufla doble, ending with the leaders doing a clockwise turn to pick up the next partner. Use the momentum of your arm as it comes out and down from the enchufla turn to initiate your right turn.

EL AVION
The airplane
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, ended with the leaders flying out to the next partner with their arms like wings.

ENCHUFLA Y BOTALA
Connect and boot her out
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then, after quickly picking up the next partner, go around her and return immediately to your original ladies' right side, and quicky bring her across in a cross body lead.

ENCHUFLA PA'ARRIBA
Connect and go back
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, but instead of going to the lady to your right, pick up the first lady to your left.

ENCHUFLA Y MUERDELA
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then bite her hand as you leave!

ENCHUFLA AL MODERNO
Connect modern
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then leaders jump to center on the slow of quick-quick-slow, then hop back on the right foot, and finishing with an cross boy lead. You stay with your original partner unless the caller calls 'dame'.

ENCHUFLA COME ES
Connect ...
Hand sign: unknown
Enchufla, then leaders whistle loudly as you lower the right arm to reach over the ladies' left arm to pick up the next lady.

ENCHUFLA Y CASATE
Connect and get married
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders dance around the ladies instaed of moving on to the next lady, ending up on the outside of the wheel. The leaders can embellish this by getting to the inside with a quick hook turn at the end of the counts.

Variations of Adios

ADIOS
Good-bye
Hand sign: wave good-bye
After cross body or stop and go, leaders close with ladies and do half a spot turn to the right with leaders left arm fully extended (ladies right arm) for style. As soon as you are facing the next lady, leaders lift and pass under ladies right arm to next partner.

FESTIVAL DE ADIOS
Festival of good-bye's
Hand sign: wave good-bye...
Same as Festival de Enchufle, but doing Adios instead.

ADIOS CON VUELTA
Good-bye with a turn
Hand sign: wave good-bye plus a turn sign.
Same as above but after lifting ladies arm up step through and turn left bringing her arm down when you complete the turn. Leaders step toward the next lady with his right arm reaching over his left arm, which is still holding the ladies right hand. Then let go and grab next partner.

ADIOS CON HERMANA
Good-bye with the sister
Hand sign: Wave good-bye then hand to the chest
Start with the same half spot turn to the right as above, but as soon as leaders face center, lift ladies right arm and step towards center then turn to the left whipping around to face your partner. Leaders backs are to center, look at your partner. Pulse her and bring her to the center passing in front you and under your left arm, at the same time leaders switch positions so now they face center and ladies face them. Next pull the ladies out of center and directly (not under an arm) to leaders right side catching with the right arm on her back. Ready for the cross body lead.

ADIOS CON HERMANA Y LA ABUELA
Good-bye with the sister and the grandmother
Hand sign: unknown
Do 'Adios con hermana' and end with right-to-right ,X-hands, and an outward turn before leaving to get the next lady. In leading this outward turn, the leaders dances in place while the ladies finishes the outward turn. Stay with your original lady thru 1-2-3, only leaving to pick up the new lady on the next pacewith an cross body loop.

Other Variations

ZIPPER
Zipper
Hand sign: hand on zipper
When doing stop and go, as partners come together both do a ripple. Usually with legs apart and snapped together. This is done on the '1' or when the leaders right foot and ladies left come together.

SETENTA
70
Hand sign: 7 - 0
After stop and go, or cross body lead, as you come together with your partner hold both hands. On the first 3 count, lift ladies right hand up and turn her outside (her right). As she completes turn bring her right hand back down and hold out straight, her left hand is wrapped behind her waist. On the second 3 count, leaders turn her back the other way, moving her to the right side then looping their right arm over their head (leaders right hand to their left shoulder, ladies arm loops over and behind leaders head). Ladies left arm rests on leaders right shoulder, Leaders right hand drops under ladies left shoulder and rests on her back, now ready for cross body lead.

SETENTA COMPLICADO
Complicated 70
Hand sign: unknown

SETENTA COMPLICENSE
Complicate your own 70
Hand sign: unknown

SETENTA Y CINCO
75
Hand sign: unknown
Begins like setenta. After unwinding out of hammerlock, bring the lady to your right side, around behind, while taking both her hands in your right hand. Reach in the circle, touching the other leaders's hands with your free left hand. Bring the lady back around front and across with a one-handed cross body lead, changing her hands to your left hand to end in the open Rueda position. Everybody touches hands in the center again.

QUARENTA
40
Hand sign: unknown
Begins like setenta. After unwinding out of hammerlock, ...

PASEALA
Take her for a walk
Hand sign: unknown
Start cross body lead, as ladies move to leaders left side, leader steps to the right. Leaders lead ladies behind them (around their left,) and switch hands behind the back. Continue to lead ladies around the right side, and do a 2nd cross body lead using the right arm in front of them. Switch back to leaders left hand as they cross.

PASEALA POR ARRIBA
Take her for a walk over the head
Hand sign: paseala sign plus thumb over shoulder.
Same as above, but after the second cross body lead, Leaders do the above again, but this time over the head and only with the Left hand. (no switching)

PASEALA CON LAS MANOS
Take her for a walk with her hands
Hand sign: paseala sign plus thumb over shoulder.
Leaders and ladies all hold hands in one unbroken circle. The leaders dance into the circle on the left foot while the ladies lean out of the circle, still holding on. On the leaders's right foot, pull the ladies to your right past you in front of you, like a cross body lead, only using hands, to your left side. All join hands quickly to form the unbroken circle again, etcetera. This same pattern can also be done 'inverted', with everybody facing out of the circle.

VACILALA
Check her out, enjoy her
Hand sign: finger point at eye
Cross body lead, bring her right arm back in front of leader and start her on an outside free turn. Leaders move to the left and catch her on their right side ready for another cross body lead. Ladies can also do two and a half turns if they want.

VACILALA SENTADA
Check her out, enjoy her ...
Hand sign: finger point at eye
Vacilala with ladies ending seated on your knee. The Rueda either ends here, or hold her four beats to continue.

COCA COLA
Coca Cola
Hand sign: drinking sign
As leaders begin the cross body, right hand on back, left hand on ladies shoulder, they start ladies on a traveling inside turn (ladies left turn with no hands!). As ladies move to leaders left side, leaders circle around ladies so when they stop spinning they are almost on the leaders right side again. Leaders hold ladies for 3 counts and can then start another cross body.

COCA COLA PARA AFUERA
Coca Cola to the back
Hand sign: drinking sign plus thumb over the shoulder
Same beginning as above, but after her traveling turn leaders lead ladies around their back. Leaders stay facing center. When ladies are on the right, ready for cross body.

PELOTA CON CUATRO or CON DOS
Ball with four
Hand sign: like bouncing a ball plus 4 or 2 ingers.
Starts like an single Enchufle, but after passing by your partner, you stomp 4 times then clap+stomp 4 times. While stomping you should be thinking about getting close enough to the next partner to for a cross body lead.

EVELYN
Evelyn
Hand sign: unknown
After a cross body lead and as you step towards the lady, bring her right arm down and grab her waist, right side and begin to pull her around (so she would do a right turn) You only want to start her on it because Leaders immediatly do a right turn too. As you turn you switch the holding her right behind Leaders back. Now leaders continue to turn until facing the lady. The Ladies are on the right, and Leaders are on the left. Next switch places bring her under your right arm. Now she is left side.

DEDO
The finger
Hand sign: middle finger, or pinkie finger
After cross body or stop and go, leaders switch hands and lead her on an outside turn (her right), immediately after lead her through an inside turn with leaders doing a hook turn to the right. Pulse and pull her to your right side. Hold her for 3 counts and be ready for cross body.

BESALA VECES
Kiss her 3 times
Hand sign: unknown
While doing stop and go, as couples open up to center they kiss the partner from the couple next to them.

PA'EL MEDIO or EL CENTRO
To the middle
Hand sign: unknown
Unlike when you are starting, if this is called while dancing, the leaders step into the circle, then out. Like doing a basic salsa step to the center. This move can be followed by Treinta y tres.

TREINTA Y TRES
33
Hand sign: unknown
After starting PA'EL MEDIO, leaders step to center and a little to the right, then back out to the circle one partner to the right. Do this 3 times. Variations: Clap twice and/or spin as you move to center.

PA'ARRIBA
Up stream
Hand sign: Pointing to the right, against the normal direction
Used in conjunction with other moves means to reverse the direction you would go to your next partner. In other words after Enchufle you would turn away from your partner (instead of walking around them) and walk to the partner in the other direction passing her on the inside. Come around her putting your right hand on her back and cross body.

FLOR
Flower
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders go to center with arms down in front, and bring them up as they step back, ladies do same alternating.

ENGANCIEN
Hook
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders and ladies huddle. Leaders hold arms, not hands. Continue to dance small steps.

LEVANTENLA
Levitate them
Hand sign: unknown
Leaders with arms hooked bend down and pick ladies up. Ladies remain sitting on hooked arms.

BAJANLA
Put them down
Hand sign: unknown
Put the ladies down. Everyone starts on their left foot on One. Usually followed by Coca Cola.

BULLA
Noise
A request for noise. Not a move.

APURRETE or MUEVETE
..., move
Do it (proceed arriba or abajo) faster! Move it!

Rueda De Casino

EL POZO
The well
Take water out of the well.

LLEVALA PA'BAJO
Get her down
Hand sign: unknown
In closed position leaders take ladies back to their right (like the 3 steps before a cross body lead), as ladies go back leaders step forward left). Next bring them to your left (beginning cross body), but stop them when they are parallel to center (still in tight closed position). This repeated... in front, to the right, in front etc... Continue until next call.

(DOS) EXHIBELA
Exhibit her
Hand sign: unknown
From closed position, ladies are on leaders right side (like beginning of cross body lead). Leaders lift left hand and push them through towards center. Leaders right side is away from center. As soon as ladies pass under leaders arm, bring arm down and snap them back to leaders right side (not under arm). Be ready for cross body lead.

UN TARRO or TARRITO
Horn
Hand sign: unknown
In the opening circle, while dancing either arriba or abajo, 'un tarro' means leaders (usually) step through under their ladies arms. Pick up the neighbor lady. (can also occur after 'enchufla pero no dile que no'). With small Ruedas, you can come close and all touch arms in the center of the wheel. Here you can execute the taro very subtly by exchanging hands almost invisibly in the center of the wheel as you dance. The leaders take the hand of the partner arriba one by placing your hand over your partner's, but below the next leader, then walk through on the call. Make sure that there are no other hands preventing you from walking the arriba partner under the canopy of hands into your lead at the call. The same can be done with the ladies travelling through to the next partner. Invert the hand exchange in the beginning.

PEGALE UN TARRITO CON LA DE ATRAS or ADELANTE
Hit her horn with the one in the back, in the front
Hand sign: unknown
Do un tarro with the lady behind (or in front). Can end in la botella by staying linked and dancing around in the circle, then start these tarros from within this linked wheel.

MATA LA CUCARACHA or PISE
Kill the cockroach or Hit the floor
Hand sign: unknown
Upon stepping into the circle, stamp on the floor.

EL TREN
The train
Hand sign: unknown
Open break, leaders take ladies' right hand with yours (crossed), into an outward turn. Pick up her other hand with your left. Unwind her, while turning yourself around to your right, clockwise, ending up on the other side of the lady facing abajo in the circle. Begin the 'train'. Ladies remember that you do not change feet here. All take small steps. End on 'alli nada mas', and cross body lead back into the circle.

SENCILLO
Simple
Hand sign: unknown
Open break, change to crossed hands, right hand to right hand only. Lead ladies into an outward turn, clockwise, with your right hand. Then back over her head like an enchufla with the same right hand. While you do this, step around her into the circle. Keep her to your right. Switch hands, picking up her right hand now with your left. Take it over her head like an enchufla, bringing her to your right side to end with a cross body lead.

EL TELEVISOR
The television
Hand sign: unknown
Cross hands lead into sombrero, but end by seating the ladies on your right knee and everybody 'watch TV!!' Back to the wheel with a cross body lead.

YOGURT or YOGURT CON FRESAS
Yogurt or yogurt with strawberries
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basic Rueda move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off, you jump to each other body-to-body, and jump backwards.

YOGURT CON CHOCOLATE
Yogurt with chocolade
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basisc Rueada move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off, you jump to each other body-to-body, jump backwards into the cirlce and back into the basic position.

Rueda De Casino Dance

YOGURT CON TODO EL MUNDO
Yogurt with chocolade
Hand sign: unknown
Do the basisc Rueada move, but instead of the right to left hand push-off, you jump to each other body-to-body, jump backwards with a half turn to jump body-to-body with your neigbour, and again with your paryner... until the caller stops the fun with alli nada mas

LA ROSA or LA FLOR
The rose or the flower
Hand sign: unknown
Start with enchufa pero no dile que no. Then, on the first pace, leaders all enter the wheel together, making an opening flower with their hands. On the second pace, the ladies all do the same. Be carefull, don't hold hands to long. This is repeated until another call. At the call ( hombres, a la derecha ), leaders exit the wheel to the right of the ladies to their right. Enter the wheel there without moving over. then, if a la la derecha is called again, exit one partner to the right again. This is repeated until another call. End either by dile que no, or by Rueda, hombres abacho.

“Rueda de Casino” (Rueda) is a Cuban style of Salsa that is danced in a circle of friends where a caller calls dance pattern sequenced moves that sometimes create a rotational switch of partners around the circle, fun shared team moves that can build terrific teamwork or result in hilarious mayhem. Learn wonderful Cuban style salsa moves that can be danced solo as well as within the circle, creating community and joyful moments together. Casino danced with multiple partners in a circular fashion emerged in 1956 under the name “Rueda del Casino,” and has become a popular dance throughout the world today. Join the fun with us!

For a list of Rueda de Casino classes at Dance with Joy Studios and to pre-register for classs, click on the “Sign Up Today!” link below. Once the full studio schedule loads onto your screen, simply sort the “Class Type” to Partner Dance and scroll down to view class names, days, and times.

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