Scopa

  • Scopa is played with 2 or 4 players (in teams of two) using a 40-card deck. Players decide whether to play to 11, 16 or 21 points.
    Points are earned through scopa, cards, coins (denari), the seven of coins (settebello) and primiera.

    Card values are: Guest = 8, Vespa = 9, King = 10.

    (Ace through seven keep their numerical value.)

    The dealer distributes 3 cards to each player and places 4 cards face up on the table. The player to the dealer’s right begins. Players may capture matching cards, cards whose combined value equals one in hand, or place a card onto the table.

  • At the end of each round, points are counted:

    SCOPA = 1 point for clearing the table with a capture (except on the final hand).

    CARDS = 1 point for the most captured cards.
    COINS (DENARI) = 1 point for holding at least 6 coin cards.
    SETTEBELLO = 1 point for holding the 7 of coins.
    PRIMIERA
    = 1 point for the highest primiera score using one card from each suit, valued as follows: face cards = 10, two = 12, three = 13, four = 14, five = 15, ace = 16, six = 18, seven = 21.

Briscola

  • Briscola is played with 2 or 4 players (in teams of two) using a 40-card deck. The objective is to win at least 61 of the 120 points available in the deck. The cards are worth the following points, in order of strength: Ace = 11, Three = 10, King = 4, Vespa = 3, Guest = 2. All other cards are worth no points.

    The dealer gives three cards to each player, then turns one card face up and positions it crosswise under the deck. This card determines the trump suit, known as the briscola.

  • Play begins with the player to the dealer’s right placing a card.
    Each player then plays one card in turn. The trick is won by the highest card of the leading suit, or by the highest trump card if one is played. (All cards belonging to the trump suit are called briscole.)

    Players are not required to follow suit. During the first trick, if playing in teams, players may not speak or signal to their teammate. After each trick, players draw one new card from the deck, beginning with the player who won the previous trick. During the final hand, teammates may discuss a strategy freely. Points are added at the end of the game.

Tresette

  • Tresette is one of Italy's oldest and most treasured card games, enjoyed around family tables for generations. Played with four players in two teams of two, partners sit opposite each other and work together to win tricks and score the most points.

    The game is played using a 40-card Italian deck, with each player receiving ten cards. Unlike many trick-taking games, there is no trump suit, so success comes from strategy, teamwork, and remembering which cards have already been played.

    One of the most unique features of Tresette is its card ranking. The 3 is the highest card in every suit, followed by the 2, Ace, King, Knight (Cavallo), Jack (Fante), then the 7, 6, 5, and 4. Although the Ace is a valuable scoring card, it is not the strongest card when winning tricks.

  • The player to the dealer's right leads the first trick by playing any card. Play continues clockwise, with each player following the same suit if they can. If a player has no cards of the suit that was led, they may play any card from their hand. The highest-ranking card of the suit that was led wins the trick, and the winner leads the next round.

    Scoring is based on specific cards. Each Ace is worth one point, while every 3, 2, King, Knight, and Jack is worth one-third of a point. All other cards have no point value. The team that wins the final trick receives an additional bonus point. These points are added together over multiple rounds until one team reaches the agreed winning score, traditionally 21 points.