Objective of the game

The goal of Scopa is to accumulate as many points as possible by capturing cards from the table. Getting a "scopa" means capturing all the cards on the table in a single move, which grants a bonus point.

The deck

An Italian deck of 40 cards is used, divided into 4 suits:

Ears of Corn/Deniers (Gold)
Goblets/Cups
Knives/Swords
Rolling Pins/Sticks

Value of cards

While cards do not have a specific scoring value, some of them are important for certain points:

Ace: Has a capture value of 1.
2-7: They have a socket value corresponding to their number.
Grandpa Chef/King: 10 points
Grandma Chef/Horse: 9 points
Waiter/Knave: 8 points

Distribution of cards

The dealer shuffles the cards and deals 3 cards to each player.
Four cards are placed face up in the center of the table.
The remaining cards form the deck from which subsequent hands will be dealt.

Rules of the game

Playing a Card: The player whose turn it is chooses one of his cards and plays it. If the card played has the same value as a card on the table, the player takes both cards. If the card played matches the sum of the values of several cards on the table, the player takes all the matching cards.
Example: If there is a 6 and a 2 on the table, a player can play a Waiter and take both cards.
Making a Scopa: If a player takes all the cards on the table in a single move, he gets a "scopa", signaling this by placing the card he played sideways in the trick pile.
Draw and Continue: Once all players have used up their three cards, the dealer deals 3 more cards to each player. This repeats until the deck is exhausted.
Last Trick: Whoever takes the last trick of the game also takes any cards remaining on the table.

End of the game

At the end of the game, points are calculated according to the following criteria:

Cards: 1 point to the player who has taken the most cards (in case of a tie, no points are awarded).
Ears of corn/Denari: 1 point to whoever has taken the most cards of the suit of coins (in case of a tie, no points).
Seven of ears of corn/denarii: 1 point to whoever gets the seven of ears of corn/denarii.
Primiera: 1 point to whoever has the Primiera, that is, the best combination of a card of each suit, evaluated according to these values:
- Seven = 21 points
- Six = 18 points
- Ace = 16 points
- Five = 15 points
- Four = 14 points
- Three = 13 points
- Two = 12 points
- Figures (King, Knight, Page) = 10 points
The Primiera is calculated by adding the values of the best cards of each suit. If there is a tie, the point is not awarded. § Scope: 1 point for each scopa made during the game.

The game ends when one of the players or teams reaches the set score, usually 11 points, but this can be agreed at the start of the game.

End of the game

Strategic advice

Manage your tricks carefully: Try to take cards that do not leave easy combinations for your opponent, especially when he could make a scopa.
Keep important cards: The Seven of Coins is crucial; try to take it without taking too many risks.
Calculate the Primera: Try to get the Sevens, as they are essential for the Primera.
Remember played cards: Keeping track of the cards you've already played helps you predict your opponents' moves and make more strategic choices.

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Scopa

Scopa is a classic Italian card game played with a deck of 40 Italian cards. The game is suitable for 2, 3 or 4 players, but the most common format is 2 or 4 players (in pairs).