Scopa

PLAY

Overview

Scopa is a 2 player card game. Widely played in Italy with an Italian 40 card deck consisting of Coins, (Deanri), Swords (Spade), Clubs (Bastoni) and Cups (Coppe), it can be played with a normal deck by removing the 8, 9,10s and Jokers.

Each player receives 3 cards, 4 are laid out face up int he middle of the table. The player, whose turn it is, must attempt to win one or more cards from the table using one of the cards in their hand. Once all of the players have played all three of their cards, three more will be dealt from the remaining pack. When no more cards are left, the points are calculated and either a winner is declared or a draw in which the cards are re-dealt.

The aim of the game is to out-think your opponent and take as many tricks as possible, receiving the most points by the end of the round/game.

SCORING

After each round 1 point is added to your score based on the below criteria:

If no-one scores a Scopa the maximum points you can win in any one game is 4.

CARD VALUES

Cards have a capture value ranging from 1–10 and a Primera value (explained later) (In the Italian Deck the number of items on the card represents the card number, 3 coins = number 3)

Card Values are for capturing cards only and the Primera Values are for totalling the highest Primera set in your hand.

The system will automatically total your cards for you as you play the game.

HOW TO PLAY

3 cards are dealt to each player, 4 cards are placed face up in the centre of the table and the dealer keeps the remaining cards You play only 1 card at a time from your hand.

You must attempt to take one or more cards from the table using one of the cards in your hand.

EXAMPLE: - 3 picks up a 3 or an Ace and a 2 (see the table above for card value)

To make your capture just click on the card in your hand that you wish to use, the system will automatically total the cards on the table and add them to your pile. If there is more than one choice of cards, the system will allow you to click the cards you wish to capture.

You do not have to capture a card if you don’t wish to; in this case you would just add a card to the table. However you are not allowed to discard a card which could make a capture.

If you are unable to capture any card from the table you lay a card from your hand to those on the table, and then play moves to the next player.

Once both players have no cards left in their hand you will be dealt a further 3 cards from the dealer. The game continues in this manner until all the dealers’ cards have been exhausted.

If at any point there are no cards left on the table but players still have cards to play the next player simply lays a card, and the game continues as normal.

Once all the cards have been dealt and played the player who won the last trick will collect any cards that remain on the table. (The system will automatically transfer these cards to that players pile)

MEANINGS

SCOPA: Is when you take the last card/s from the table in a trick (except on last play when deck is exhausted)

PRIMERA: Is calculated from totalling 1 card from each suit based on its Primera value (see Card Values).

SCOPA RAKE

Commissions remain the same no matter what currency you play in!

The table below displays the % commission payable on every 2-player pot.

RANKINGS

You can check your own progress in a game by clicking on your own name in the Lobby. All players start with 1500 points and the more cash games you win the higher your ranking will climb. All players can play with other players or choose to play with "Bots".

If you choose to play against a bot and you continue to improve your ranking you will find that our weaker "bot" players, RookieBot and AmateurBot, will not accept your challenges.  ProBot is happy to play all players.

We do not allow players to see other players' ratings.

HINTS AND TIPS

Scopa is one of the easiest card games to pick up and is much loved for its simplicity. Winning scopa takes a good memory of what cards have already been played combined with good strategy followed by that little bit of luck.

By following some of the below tips this will help to maximize your chances of being a Scopa winner.

TIP 1 - Know where the points are scored

Winning this game relies greatly on knowing how you score your points. Once you have that in mind you should have no problem in being a Scopa Winner.

The below table shows where you gain the points from. Remember this and the rest is plain sailing.

TIP 2 - Understand the value of the cards

As you can see in the above table you can score 1 point from the "Primera" value attached to each card. At the end of each round the system will add up the highest valued card from each suit that you hold, this is your PRIMERA total.

The table below details the value of each card.

TIP 3 - The 7 of Diamonds (coins)

Looking back at TIP 1 you can see that by capturing the 7 of diamonds you will guarantee yourself 1 point straight away.

Capturing this card will also help towards your Primera Value See TIP 2 this card is worth 21 primera points and again looking back at TIP 1 you can see it will also help towards gaining an extra point for "most Diamonds" points

The 7 of Diamonds is possibl the most valueable card in the deck.

Try to avoid leaving cards on the table that total 7 this will make it harder for your opponent to capture the 7 of diamonds if they have it in their hand to play.

TIP 4 - The 7's / Highest Primera Value

Gaining the highest Primera at the end of each round/game will score you 1 point. A Primera is the highest valued card (one each suit) that you have in your hand at the end of the game. These cards are totalled together to create your Primera Value.

See below example for how the Primera is calculated at the end of each round:

This means the Primera point would go to player 2.

While playing think about what cards benefit you most, capturing as many of the 7's is one of the best strategies

1: To gain the highest value for yourself and 2: To stop your opponent for getting there first.

Remember to think ahead and don't give up cards that could easily give your opponent that edge.

TIP 5 - The Diamonds

A Point is awarded for holding the most amounts of Diamonds at the end of the round / game.

You may find yourself in a position where you have a strategic choice to make, and winning the game could all depend on what you decide.

Example:

Lets say you hold the King of Clubs (10 in capture Value) and the cards on the table are: 2H, 2S, QS, AD, 6H

This gives you 2 choices for which cards to capture:

Choice 1 - You can capture 3 cards with no diamonds. (6H, 2H, and 2S)

Choice 2 - You can capture 2 cards with 1 Diamond ( AD, QS)

The choice you make will depend on what you have already captured.

If you're ahead with the amount of cards you have, you can afford to chose CHOICE 2, giving you an extra diamond

If you're ahead with the amount of Diamonds you have, you can afford to chose CHOICE 1, and capture more cards

A very easy point to win, many players neglect to remember this. So try to capture as many Diamonds as possible.

TIP 6 - The SCOPA

This is the only time you will score an instant 1 point. this could really give you the edge against your opponent.

A scopa is scored by capturing the last card on the table, if you play well and remove the last card with a capture you score a SCOPA and instantly recieve 1 point

So for example if a 3 of hearts is the only card on the table when it is your go and you hold a 3 of Spades, by capturing this card you will instantly recieve 1 point.

TIP 7 - Playing the Right Card

Playing the right card isn't just about remembering what has been laid, it's also about considering how your opponent may be able to use their cards or the cards on the table to their advantage.

As a rule of thumb if your opponent puts a card down you should try and take it off the board again, there is a high likelihood that they are laying a card that they can capture on their next turn.

You should be cautious of aces, 2's and 3's which can easily be combined with most cardsnto capture 7's

Royals are the least important cards to take. They can seldom be taken in combination with other cards and are almost worthless when deciding the Primera Value.

WITH THESE TIPS IN MIND YOU'RE NOW READY TO BE A SCOPA WINNER

GOOD LUCK

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