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.