Definition

The mazzo napoletano (Neapolitan deck) is the traditional Italian playing card deck used in Briscola, Scopa, and dozens of other regional games. It contains 40 cards divided into four suits: bastoni (batons/clubs), coppe (cups), denari (coins), and spade (swords). Each suit contains 10 cards numbered 1 (Asso) through 7, plus three face cards: the Fante (Page/Jack), the Cavallo or Donna (Horse or Queen), and the Re (King). The artwork is strikingly different from French-suited playing cards — suits are depicted as literal objects (swords, cups, coins, wooden batons) and the face cards show historical and regional figures. Regional variants exist from Naples, Milan, Sicily, and other areas, each with distinct artistic styles.