About the Game

Scopa is the Italian national card game, played with a 40-card deck since the 18th century. You capture table cards with a card of matching value, and a sweep of the whole table — a scopa — is worth a point on its own. Its scoring rewards the right cards, not the most cards.

Basic Rules

1. 1Played with a 40-card Italian deck: denari, coppe, spade and bastoni.
2. 2Each player gets 3 cards and 4 cards are dealt face up to the table.
3. 3Play a card to capture table cards whose values add up to that card.
4. 4If a single table card matches your card exactly, you MUST take it and cannot take a set instead.
5. 5Capturing is compulsory: you may only discard when your card can take nothing.
6. 6Clearing the whole table is a "scopa" — 1 point. It does not count on the final play of a deal.
7. 7When every hand is empty, 3 more cards are dealt; the last player to capture sweeps the table at the end.
8. 8Points per deal: most cards, most denari, the settebello (seven of denari), best primiera, and every scopa.
9. 9First side to the target score (11 by default) wins. With 4 players you play in fixed partnerships.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Scopa?

Played with a 40-card Italian deck: denari, coppe, spade and bastoni. Each player gets 3 cards and 4 cards are dealt face up to the table. Play a card to capture table cards whose values add up to that card. If a single table card matches your card exactly, you MUST take it and cannot take a set instead. Capturing is compulsory: you may only discard when your card can take nothing. Clearing the whole table is a "scopa" — 1 point. It does not count on the final play of a deal. When every hand is empty, 3 more cards are dealt; the last player to capture sweeps the table at the end. Points per deal: most cards, most denari, the settebello (seven of denari), best primiera, and every scopa. First side to the target score (11 by default) wins. With 4 players you play in fixed partnerships.

How many players can play Scopa?

2 or 4 players

Is Scopa free to play on LUDOCCA?

Yes. Scopa is free to play on LUDOCCA. Create an account, join a public room, or invite friends to a private match — no download required.

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