How to Play Scopa
Scopa is an old Italian card game. It uses a 40-card deck. You can play it with two to four players. The goal is to win the most points by taking cards from the table. Also in Nancy Drew Phantom of Vennice Nancy played Scopa.
The Deck and Card Values
A Scopa deck has four suits. They are coins, cups, swords, and clubs. Each suit has cards from one to seven, and three face cards: jack, knight, and king. The number cards count as their face value. The jack is worth 8, the knight 9, and the king 10.
Setting Up the Game
Each player gets three cards. Place four cards face up on the table. The rest of the deck stays in a stack for later rounds.
How to Play a Round
The dealer starts. On your turn, you play one card from your hand. If the value of your card matches a card on the table, you take that card. If the value of your card matches the sum of more than one card, you may take all those cards. If no match is possible, your card stays on the table.
When every player has played all three cards, deal three more to each. Keep playing until the deck runs out.
The Scopa
If you take all the cards from the table in one play, you make a “Scopa.” Mark one point for it. Leave your winning card face up in your pile to show the Scopa.
Scoring
At the end of the game, players count their points.
You score points for:
- Most cards taken (1 point)
- Most coins taken (1 point)
- The seven of coins (1 point)
- Best “Primiera,” which means the best set of high cards, one from each suit (1 point)
Add one point for each Scopa you made. The player with the most points wins.
Tips for Play
Watch what others take. Hold back cards that may give them an easy Scopa. Try to win coins and sevens when you can.
Summary
Scopa is quick to learn and full of skill. With a few rounds, you will start to see its depth and rhythm.
How to Play Scopa brought to you by: David M.
I’m David M. I’ve been playing video games a long time, my pong game was fire. Now, my kids run circles around me but we always have a good time. We mostly play party and family games. Strategy and battle games are still among my favorites. I like writing about games almost as much as I do playing them. My favorite games are: Moving Out 2, Out of Space and Overcooked All You Can Eat.
