The game of Briscola
     
Briscola is an Italian card game. The game is
played all over the Mediterranean countries (with some local variations). The
word “Briscola” can be translated by the English “Trump suit”.
     
The purpose of the game is to accumulate more
points than your opponent (see game rules for the point values of the cards).
     
The number of players varies between 2 and 6.
Usually teams are formed when the number of players is even, so the game is
played between 2 teams. The game with 3 players is usually played each player
against the other 2. The game with 5 players is usually played with 2 teams
(with special rules to determine the teams, and also the way the game is
played).
     
This version of the game is really for 1 player (the other player being the computer).
     
The game is played with a deck of 40 cards, divided
in 4 suits. At the start of the game each player receives 3 cards. The Briscola
card is placed face up partly underneath the remaining cards, so that it is
visible by each player. The suit of the Briscola card is the trump suit. A
player is free to play any of the cards in his possession. The game is played
anti-clockwise (in the case of more than 2 players), with the player to the
right of the dealer starting the first hand (or trick). All the players play 1 card in each hand.
The winner of the hand collects all the cards played in that hand. The winner of the previous hand starts the following hand. After the hand is finished each
player takes a card from the top of the deck, starting from the winner of the
last hand in an anti-clockwise direction. When the cards in the deck are
finished, the game goes on until all the cards in each player’s possession have
been played. Then the points are counted. Who has collected more points wins the game.
     
The game can be played as a single, double or multiple game. After each game the points are noted, and after the last game added up to find the winner.
The double game is more common because it gives the chance to each player/team
to start the first hand (or trick).
     
As with any card game, luck plays a very big role in determining the actual winner. But in the Briscola strategy can play its part, especially
in the latter hands of the game. Having a good memory of the cards that have been played
before and studying the opponent's way of playing help in determining the strategy,
and can make a real difference to the number of points scored.