Scopa
Objective
Scopa is a traditional Italian card game that dates back to the 18th century. The main goal is to score more points than the opponents by capturing cards from the table.
Number of Players
Scopa can be played with 2 to 6 players, with the most common version being 4 players played in teams of 2.
Game Materials
- A 40-card Italian deck or a standard 52-card deck with the "8s", "9s", and "10s" removed. The suits are Cups, Coins, Swords, and Clubs.
Card Values
- King (Re): 10 points
- Cavalier (Knight): 9 points
- Page (Jack): 8 points
- Other Cards: Face value (7 to 1)
Gameplay
- Each round begins with the dealer dealing 3 cards to each player and 4 face-up cards to the center of the table.
- Players take turns in a clockwise direction. On a player's turn, they can use one of their cards to capture cards from the center.
- Capture by matching: Use a card to take a card of equal value from the center.
- Capture by sum: Use a card to capture multiple cards whose total value equals the card played.
- If a player cannot capture any cards, they must place one of their cards in the center.
- A Scopa (sweep) occurs if a player clears all the cards from the center in one play, earning an extra point.
- The last player to successfully capture before all cards are played takes the remaining cards in the center.
Scoring
- Each Scopa earns 1 point.
- Most Cards: 1 point to the team with the most cards.
- Most Coins: 1 point to the team with the most cards in the Coins suit.
- Settebello: 1 point for holding the 7 of Coins.
- Primiera: 1 point for the best set of high cards from each suit (the best 7 is honored).
Endgame
A standard game ends when a player or team reaches 11 points, though other point targets can be decided. In the event of a tie, additional rounds are played until a winner emerges.
Strategies
- Gather Coins for the coin point.
- Focus on "Settebello": Secure the 7 of Coins early.
- Think Primiera: Collect high-ranking cards from different suits to secure the Primiera point.
Enjoy your game!
