Objective

Scopa is a traditional Italian game played with 40 cards (Ace to 7, then jack, knight and king). Jacks count for 8 points, Knights for 9 and Kings for 10.

The goal is to mark a maximum of points by capturing cards laid on the table.

Overview

At the start of each hand, four cards are laid on the table and three are dealt to each player.

Each player will then play a card from their hand and may capture one or multiple cards from the table. Capturing is possible if the card's value is equal to the sum of the values of cards on the table. If a capture is impossible, the card is added to the table. Example: if the table has a 2, a 4 and a 5, and a player has an A, a 5 and a 6, they may play the A (which will be added to the table), the 5 (by capturing the 5 on the table) or the 6 (which will capture the 2 and the 4).

If multiple captures are possible, the capture with the fewest cards takes priority. Example: if the table has a 2, a 4 and a 6, if someone plays a 6, they must capture the 6. If multiple captures obeying this rule are possible, the player will be given the choice of capture.

Once all players run out of cards, three new cards are dealt to each player.

When there are no cards left in the deck, all remaining cards are captured by the last player to have captured a card.

Then, points are counted. If any player reaches or exceeds the target (11, 16, 21 or 31 points), they win. Otherwise, the deck is shuffled and the next hand starts.

Scoring

Whenever a player captures all the cards on the table, they immediately win a Scopa point ("scopa" means sweep: they swept the table). Exception: a Scopa is not awarded if it occurs on the play of the very last card in a hand.

At the end of each hand, a point is awarded for each of the following:

• - Capturing the most cards
• - Capturing the most coin cards
• - Capturing the 7 of coins (the beautiful 7, or sette bello)
• - Having the highest prime score (see below)

Where a category is tied, no point is won for it.

Prime score

A player's prime score is calculated by taking the highest card from each suit, among their captured cards, and summing the total, with each card worth the following

For example, if a player's captured cards were 3♣7♣J♣4♦6♦2♠, they would score the J♣ 6♦ and 2♠ for 10+19+12 = 41 prime.

Variations

In some variations of the game, at most 2 cards can be captured. On BGA, this is available through a game option.

There are many other variations of the game. Currently on BGA, here are the ones available:

• The traditional Scopa game
• Il Ponino: In this variant, if a player captured all 4 knights, their Scopa points are doubled
• Napola: Capturing Ace, 2 and 3 of coins is worth 3 points. Also capturing the 4 of coins is worth 4 points. Also capturing the 5 of coins is worth 5 points. And it goes on.
• Scopone: Each player is dealt 9 cards. The game is played in 21 points and 2 teams of 2 players.
• Scopone Scientifico / Scopone a 10: Each player is dealt 10 cards, and none are on the table. The game is played in 21 points and 2 teams of 2 players.
• Scopa a Quindici: Capturing cards is possible only if the sum of cards equals 15. Examples: 7 captures 8, King takes 5 or Ace + 4.
• Scopone de Trente: Ace, 2 and 3 of coins are worth 1, 2 and 3 extra points. Capturing all three means immediate victory. The game is played in 21 points and 2 teams of 2 players.
• Scopa d'Assi / Asso piglia tutto (simplified): Ace captures all cards on table (and it counts as a scopa).
• Scopa d'Assi / Asso piglia tutto (traditional): Ace captures all cards on table (and it counts as a scopa). If the player is the first to play or there is an ace on the table, then the ace can only capture other aces.
• Re bello: The king of coins is worth an extra point.
• Scopa Frac: Aces and figures (jacks, knights, kings) are each worth 1 point. This is the only way to win points. And there is no limit to the number of cards you can capture.
• Escoba: Capturing cards is possible only if the sum of cards equals 15. Examples: 7 captures 8, King takes 5 or Ace + 4. Extra point is awarded for capturing most sevens and all of the sevens.
• Cirulla: A mix of different variants and additional rules. Please see below.

There is a separate option for combination options: either allow only capture of the minimum number of cards, or allow any combinaison. For example, if the table has an Ace, a 2, a 4 and a 6, and a player has a 6.

• Either the player can choose any combination: either 2+4 or 6
• Or the player has to select the lowest number of cards: they can capture only the 6

Cirulla

There are some bonuses attributed based on the cards in hand:

• If the sum of your cards is below 10: worth 3 points
• If you have 3 cards with the same value: worth 10 points

If both are possible, only the 10-point bonus is attributed. For the purpose of those bonuses, the 7 of cup is a wildcard and can take any other value. However, it'll retain that value for the purpose of capturing. It'll remain the 7 of cups for counting points. You may choose to get that bonus or not. However, getting the bonus means revealing your hand.

The dealer may also get 2 bonuses:

• If the table sums up to 15, they capture the table and marks a scopa point
• If the table sums up to 30, they capture the table and marks 2 scopa points

Again, the 7 of cups is a wildcard.

Capturing is possible if one of the below condition is met:

• The card played is equal to the sum of some cards on table (as in traditionnal Scopa)
• The sum of the card played and the cards on table is 15 (as in Scopa a Quindici)
• Ace can capture all cards at once (except if there's an ace on the table) (as in Scopa d'Assi / Asso piglia tutto)

It is always possible to choose which capture you want, even if it is possible to capture less cards.

At the end of the game, there are also bonuses for some captures:

• Capturing the Ace, 2 and 3 of coins is worth 3 points. Also capturing the 4 of coins is worth 4 points. Same for 5 and 6 of coins (worth 5 and 6 points respectively).
• Capturing all face cards of coins (Jack, Knight and King) is worth 5 points

Finally, if a player or team captures all coins, they win the game immediatly.

Preferences on BoardGameArena

Each player may:

• Use a "regular" card deck instead of the traditional Italian one
• Display the name of cards (to improve understanding of the game)
• To auto-play the last card of their hand. If a choice is needed (for example multiple captures are possible), the player will have to choose.
• To hide or display the other players
• To hide or display the top information banner
• Speed up animations