How to Play Scopa
Scopa ("broom") is Italy's favourite fishing game: you sweep cards off the table by matching values, and clearing it entirely is the scopa the game is named for.
The deck
40 cards: ace, 2 to 7, jack, queen, king in each suit. Values: ace 1, 2–7 face value, jack 8, queen 9, king 10. Diamonds play the part of the Italian coins.
Play
- Three cards each, four face up on the table. The non-dealer plays first; the dealer changes every round.
- On your turn play one card. If a table card has the same value, take it. If not, you may take two or more table cards that add up to your card's value. If your card can take something, it must. Otherwise it stays on the table.
- Taking every card on the table is a scopa: 1 point. Not on the last card of the round.
- When both hands are empty, three more each are dealt until the deck runs out. The last cards left on the table go to the last player who took.
Scoring a round
| Point | Goes to |
|---|---|
| Cards | most cards taken |
| Diamonds | most diamonds taken |
| Settebello | whoever took the seven of diamonds |
| Primiera | best card per suit (see the FAQ) |
| Scopas | 1 each |
Ties score nothing. First to 11 after a round wins; if both pass 11 level, another round is played.
Playing on kawu
Tap a card: if it can take only one way, it plays at once. If several sets are possible, tap the table cards you want, then the card again. Hint shows a play and the cards it takes.
Next, read the Scopa strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Why diamonds instead of coins?
Italian decks have coins, cups, swords and clubs. kawu uses a standard deck, so diamonds stand in for coins: the diamonds point and the settebello (seven of diamonds) work exactly like denari.
Can I take a sum when a single card matches?
No. If a table card has the same value as the card you play, you must take a single matching card, not a combination.
What is primiera?
A side-count: take your best card in each suit, scoring 7 = 21, 6 = 18, ace = 16, 5 = 15, 4 = 14, 3 = 13, 2 = 12, faces 10, and add the four. The higher total takes the primiera point.
Last updated 2026-10-20