Definition

Scopa (Italian for 'broom') is a classic Italian card game usually played with 2 or 4 players. Cards are dealt to each player and a starting layout of four cards is placed face-up on the table. On your turn you play one card: if it matches the value of a table card you capture it, or if it sums to 15 with a combination of table cards you capture all those cards. When you capture every single card from the table in one move you score a scopa — the signature play that gives the game its name. At the end of the hand, players count points from four categories: carte (most cards), denari (most coins cards), settebello (7 of coins), and primiera (best 4-card combination across suits).