The Card Game of Briscola

It is not quite certain where and why this card game originated. Some sources claim it was older French soldiers who invented the game; others say it was a Dutch game created by sailors to pass the time during long voyages. Yet another source says that the game underwent such changes to be now considered a typical Italian card game.

Independently of where and why it originated, this card game is now known and played in Italy and among many Italian communities across the globe.

It is a fun card game which requires skill and good memory.

It is played with 40 cards. Italians use a special 40 card deck with suits different than your typical deck of cards. However, you can create your set from the 52 card deck by eliminating all the jokers, the tens, the nines, and the eights.

This card game is generally played with 2, 3 or 4 players, although there are options to be played with 5 and 6 players.

The goal of the game is to earn as many points as possible. The individual with the most points wins.

The cards are assigned value points as follows:
Aces are worth 11 points
Threes are worth 10 points
Kings are worth 4 points
Queens are worth 3 points
Jacks are worth 2 points

All the other cards have no face value, but they do count in winning a hand based on their numerical score. For example a 7 will win a turn over a 6, a 5, a 4, or a 2 (if of the same suit); however, it does not add points to the total score.

The total of points available in a game is 120: 4 aces equal 44 points, 4 threes equal 40 points, 4 kings equal 16 points, 4 queens equal 12 points, and 4 jacks equal 8 points.

When played with 2 or 3 players, each player is responsible for his own points. When there are 4 players, then the game can be played in teams. In this last case, two players are responsible for earning as many points as possible for their team.

To win a game, when played with 2 players, one of the players has to earn a minimum of 61 points (half the total plus one); when played with 3 players, the minimum necessary for a win is 41; when 4 players play, if each player wants to play on his own, the minimum necessary for the win is 31; if, however, the game is played with two teams of two, then each team has to score at least 61 points.

The original Italian version of the game is played by distributing three cards to each player and placing the remaining cards face down on the table.

Each game will have a trump suit, which will beat all other suits independently of the point value of the individual cards. The trump suit is determined by the top card that is picked from the remaining deck and placed face up on the table.

First to place a card on the table is the player on the left of the dealer, then the play proceeds clockwise.

The card to play will be the one that, based on the player's best guess, will win over all other cards played in the round.
Before we proceed with an example, you may want to get a set of cards and follow the game along with the cards as you read the explanation.

Here is a summary of the main rules:
1. the trump suit wins over all other cards during the game
2. within the trump suit the cards retain their rank; therefore, the trump king will win over the trump queen but not over the trump ace or three.
3. the higher ranking cards win over their lower ranking counterparts within the suit
4. to win a round you either have to outrank within the same suit or use a trump card
5. the game is over when all the cards have been played
6. the winner has to have at least 61 points (in a two players game).

Now to the example:
The card that was turned face up on the table is the five of ♥.
♥, therefore, will be the trump suit.

Let's suppose that the other player dealt the cards and that the three cards you have in your hands are
the ace of ♦ (11 points),
the two of ♣ (no value),
and the king of ♥ (4 points and trump value).

Because the opponent dealt the cards, it is your turn to go first. With the cards you have, it would be better to open the game with the two of ♣, not knowing what cards the other player has.

Now, let's look at the cards the opponent has. The other player has
the ace of ♣ (11 points),
the three of ♥ (10 points and trump value),
and the seven of ♣ (no value).
His best move would be to play the ace of ♣, because it outranks your two of ♣ (just like the seven would) and it earns 11 points (unlike the seven, which would take the card but give no points).

At this point, the opponent wins that round and earns 11 points. He would then pick a card from the top of the deck (then you pick yours) and he opens the second round. He still has
the seven of ♣ (no value),
the three of ♥ (10 points and trump value),
and has now added a five of ♦ (no value).

You still have
the king of ♥ (4 points and trump card),
the king of ♦ (4 points),
and you picked the queen of ♠ (3 points).

The opponent then plays the seven of ♣. You have no ♣ at all so you have the choice of either letting him win some points, or using your trump card.
If you choose the first option, your best move would be to let go of the card that will give him the least amount of points, the queen of ♠ (3 points). He wins the round and pockets 3 points for a total now of 14 points.
If you choose the second option, then you would play your king of ♥ and win 4 points. However, keep in mind that the king of the trump suit is the third highest ranking card for that particular game.

Let's say that you choose to give up the queen of ♠. The opponent once again picks first a card from the deck and this time he gets the ace of ♠. The card you pick is the four of ♥.

He now has
the three of ♥ (10 points and trump value),
the five of ♦ (no value),
and the ace of ♣ (11 points).

You have
the king of ♥ (4 points and trump card),
the king of ♦ (4 points),
and the four of ♥ (no value but trump card).

Your opponent decides to play the five of ♦. You can play the king of ♦, win that turn and earn 4 points (thus keeping both your trump cards). It will then be your turn to pick the top card first and open the round.

Basically, you want to play one of the trump cards only when you are holding all trumps (in which case you want to play the lowest of them), when playing any of the other cards would cause you to lose either 11 or 10 points (although at times losing those points may be the best strategy), or when it is the only way to get points (because you do not have a higher ranking card of the same suit as the one played by the opponent).

If you can win points by taking the other player's card by using his same suit, then it would be better to make that choice. Let's say, for example, that your opponent plays the jack of ♣ (2 points) and you hold the king of ♣ (4 points), it would work best for you to play the king of ♣ and earn 6 points. Let's say that you hold the king and the ace of ♣ (11 points), it would be better to choose the ace and win 13 points.

The game will end when you have played all the cards from the deck and the ones you have in your hands. The player with the most points wins.

It is a fun game and you will get better at it and more astute by playing it often.