Scopa Rules: The Italian Classic

Scopa is a classic Italian card game in which you capture cards from the table by playing cards of equal value. This guide describes Scopone, its four-player partnership form: the principles are fairly simple, but playing it well takes skill and a good memory. Cicera (played in Brescia) and Cirullone (played in Liguria) are related games from the same fishing family.

Game Overview

Scopa originated in Italy, and it requires 4 players in fixed partnerships. You sit opposite your partner, and play proceeds anticlockwise. An Italian 40 card pack, often the Neapolitan pattern with the Latin suits (swords, clubs, cups, and coins), is used, although a standard international 52 card pack can be used if Italian cards aren't available (remove the 10s, 9s, and 8s).

Objective

The objective of Scopa is to score points by capturing cards and achieving a target score of 11 or more points before your opponent.

Setup

A random player is chosen to be the first dealer. Dealing passes to the right after each hand. The dealer shuffles and the dealer's left hand opponent cuts.

The dealer deals a packet of three cards face down to each player (anticlockwise, beginning with the player to the dealer's right), then two face down to the center of the table, then three more to each player, two more to the center, and finally three more to each player. The four table cards are then turned face up, and players look at their hands. If three or all four of the table cards are kings, the cards are thrown in, and there is a new deal by the same dealer.

How to Play

The player to the dealer's right plays first, and the turn to play passes anticlockwise, until all the cards have been played. A turn consists of playing one card face up to the table, which may capture one or more table cards.

If the rank of the card played matches that of a table card, the table card is captured. If the played card matches more than one table card, the player chooses which table card to capture. If the card does not match any table card but its capture value is equal to the sum of two or more table cards, that set of table cards is captured. If the capture value of the card does not match any table card or sum of table cards, there is no capture, and the played card remains face up on the table.

Important points to note: there is no obligation to play a card which makes a capture – it is legal (and sometimes better play) simply to add a card to the table. However, if the played card does make a capture, the captured cards must be taken, even if the player would prefer to leave them on the table. If a card matches both a single card and a sum of cards on the table, the single card must be captured, not the group.

After all the cards from the players' hands have been played, the last player who made a capture also takes any face-up cards remaining on the table.

Scoring and End of Game

There are four points available to be won on each deal:

1. The Cards: The point is won by whichever team takes the majority of the cards. If they split 20-20 the point is not awarded.
2. The Coins: The point is won by whichever team takes more cards of the coins suit (or diamonds if using international cards). If they split 5-5 the point is not awarded.
3. The Seven of Coins (also known as 'sette bello'): The point is won by whichever team takes the 7 of coins (diamonds).
4. The Prime (in Italian: 'la primiera'): The point is won by the team with the best prime. A prime consists of one card of each suit, and the cards have special point values for this purpose. The value of the prime is got by adding up the values of its cards. If both teams' primes are worth the same, the prime point is not awarded. A prime of four suits always beats a prime of three suits, irrespective of the point values.

In addition to the points mentioned above, you also win a point for each sweep (Italian scopa). You score a sweep when you play a card which captures all the table cards, leaving the table empty.

The first team to have 11 or more points at the end of a hand wins. If both sides reach 11 in the same hand, the side with more points wins. If both are equal, play further hands until one side has more points at the end of a hand.

Common Variants

10-card Scopone (Scopone Scientifico): In 10-card Scopone, ten cards are dealt to each player at the start of each hand, and none to the table. In this version, at least according to some players, the dealer's team does score one point for a sweep if the dealer's last card captures all the remaining table cards (either it matches the only remaining card or is equal to the sum of all the cards on the table).

Re bello: The re bello (beautiful king) is the king of coins. Some players award a point to the team that wins this card (just as the winners of the sette bello get a point). In this version of the game, there are 5 points to be scored in each deal (apart from sweeps) rather than four.

Napola: Some play that a team that captures the ace, two and three of coins scores a number of points equal to the highest coin card they capture in unbroken sequence with these – for example, if they took the A-2-3-4-5-6 of coins, they would score 6 points (in addition to the point for coins). This bonus is called Napola or Napoli. A team that captures all ten cards of the coin suit wins the game outright. This is called Napoleone or Napolone or Cappotto.

Target score: Some players fix a higher target score, for example, 21 points, for winning the game. This is particularly appropriate when playing variations that allow extra points to be scored.

A Fun Fact or Record

Scopa is a popular game in Italy and has been enjoyed by Italians for centuries. It's often played during holiday seasons and gatherings, making it an essential part of Italian culture. The game's simplicity and strategy make it accessible to players of all ages and skill levels, ensuring its enduring popularity.

Where to Get the Game

Begin your Scopa adventure with this Italian classic card game. italian scopa card game on Amazon

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Thinking you must capture cards every turn: Remember that it's sometimes better to play a card that doesn't capture cards if it helps your strategy in the long run.
2. Focusing too much on capturing the seven of coins: While it's important, don't forget about the other scoring opportunities available in Scopa.
3. Not paying attention to the prime: Make sure to keep an eye on the prime, as it can be a crucial factor in determining the winner.
4. Not understanding the value of picture cards for the Primiera: pictures are normally all worth 10, but in southern Italy it is common to compare primes using king = 10, horse (queen) = 9 and jack = 8. Agree on the local convention before you start — it rarely matters, since the prime is usually decided on sevens, sixes and aces.

FAQ

1. Can I play Scopa with fewer than 4 players?
   • No, Scopa requires a minimum of 4 players.
2. Can I use a deck of cards other than the Italian 40 card pack?
   • Yes, you can use a standard international 52 card pack (remove the 10s, 9s, and 8s).
3. What is the significance of the prime in Scopa?
   • The prime is a set of one card from each suit that can earn extra points.
4. Can I play Scopa with different scoring rules?
   • Yes, there are several variations of Scopa with different scoring rules, such as 10-card Scopone and Napola.
5. Is it possible to win Scopa without capturing any cards?
   • No, capturing cards is essential to scoring points in Scopa. However, the last player who makes a capture also takes any remaining cards on the table.

Similar games

• 52-card deck
• 52-card deck
• 54-card deck
• briscola card game
• 52-card deck