Escoba Strategy: 6 Tips
Escoba is a game of arithmetic and memory. New? See the rules.
1. Add the table
Before you trail, add up what is on the table including your card. If the total is between 5 and 14, the opponent sweeps with the card that completes fifteen. Prefer a trail that pushes the total past 14.
2. Sevens are gold
Four points of the round hinge on sevens: the sevens point, the seven of diamonds, and sevens also help the diamonds and cards counts. Take them even for a poor capture; never trail one.
3. Trail low
A trailed ace or two is hard to use (it needs a 14 or 13 from the table) and worth little. Trail those, keep the 7s, 6s and face cards for captures.
4. Count the fifteens
With a 40-card deck, remember which values are gone. If both remaining 8s are in your pile, a table totalling 7 is safe.
5. The last cards
Leftovers go to the last taker. With the deck nearly empty, make the last capture even if it is small, especially when several cards remain on the table.
6. The computer
Hard weighs escoba risk and the cards it leaves from the unseen cards; normal takes half the risks into account; easy plays loosely.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important card in Escoba?
The seven of diamonds (siete de oros): it scores a point on its own and counts toward both the sevens and the diamonds points. Never trail it, and take it whenever you can.
Last updated 2026-10-21