How To Play...

For us here at Black Rabbit Service there's no better way to pass the time than sitting at a cafe, sipping an espresso and playing cards with friends. Our card game of choice? Scopa!

Scopa is a fast paced traditional Italian card game with simple rules that can be incredibly addicting! Alex (BRS co-founder) came across Scopa on his first trip to Italy in 2009. While there, he played countless rounds with friends over cappuccinos on long train rides through the Italian countryside. Alex brought back decks to share with our team of coffee technicians, and we all noticed the beautiful designs on the cards. Different regions and cities each had their own deck and flair. All of us quickly learned how to play and have since shared our love of Scopa with our friends and families. We are now so excited to share our very own Black Rabbit Scopa deck with you! Our 40 card deck was beautifully designed by our friend and industry peer, the wonderful Elizabeth Chai. We hope that you enjoy playing Scopa as much as we do. In Bocca Al Lupo!

How to play

1. Shuffle and deal each player 3 cards (2-4 players)

2. Deal four cards face up in the center of the table (playing field)

3.Player to the dealer's left goes first, putting down one single card from their hand. Each player must play a card on their turn.

4. Pick up the card/cards from the table equal to points of the card you play. Place the collected cards face down in front of you. If you can not make a match you must still put down a card.

(Example -  7, 3, 2 and 4 are in play. A Player places a 6 - that player picks up the 2, 4 and the 6. However if a 6 is on the playing field that Player must pickup both sixes)

5. When the three original cards are gone from each players’ hand, the dealer deals three more cards to each player. This goes on until there are no cards left.

6. When the last card is played, if that player cannot pick up cards. All the cards in play go to the player who last picked up cards. Points for that round are now tallied.

7. Player to the left of the dealer becomes the new dealer for the next round.

How To Score

Points are tallied at the end of each round. The first player to score 11 points wins the game. There are 5 ways to score points - 

1.Scopa! - meaning Broom or Sweep is when a player plays a card that allows them to pick up all the cards on the playing field. You must say Scopa! when collecting all the cards in play. A Scopa is automatically  worth 1 point.  There is no limit to how many Scopas’ can happen in each round. 

(Example - 1, 3 and 6 are in play. The next player produces a queen (10) They shout Scopa and collect all cards in play. The next player must play a card even if there are no cards on the playing field) 

2. Cartas - The player that has collected the most cards at the end of each hand is awarded 1 point. In the case of a tie no points are awarded.

3. Denari - The player that has collected the most coin cards (burrs) is awarded 1 point. In the case of a tie no points are awarded.

4. Sette Bello - The player that has collected the 7 of coins (burrs) is awarded 1 point. 

5. Premiera - Generally the player that has collected the most 7’s wins the point. If there is a tie, the tie breaker is who has the most 6’s. If there is another tie no point is awarded. 

Card Values

The Suits                                      

Coins = Burrs

Cups = Demitasse 

Swords = Portafilters

Clubs = Tampers