Scopa scoring: how points are counted
In Scopa points are scored at the end of the hand, by counting the captured cards. Here are the five items that score points, how the primiera is calculated and a full example. The rules of the game are on the Scopa rules page.
The items that score points
| Item | Who gets the point |
|---|---|
| Cards | whoever has more than 20 |
| Coins | whoever has more than 5 |
| Settebello | whoever has the 7 of coins |
| Primiera | whoever scores highest |
| Scope | 1 point for each scopa |
There are 40 cards and 10 coins: with 20 cards each or 5 coins each it's a tie and that point goes to nobody. Without scope, a hand is worth at most 4 points.
How the primiera is calculated
For the primiera each player picks, from the cards they've captured, their best card in each suit and adds up their values. The cards are worth:
| Card | Primiera value |
|---|---|
| 7 | 21 |
| 6 | 18 |
| Ace | 16 |
| 5 | 15 |
| 4 | 14 |
| 3 | 13 |
| 2 | 12 |
| Jack, knight, king | 10 |
You need at least one card in each suit: whoever hasn't captured any cards of a suit can't make the primiera. The highest possible score is 84, with the four 7s.
An example
Anna and Bruno finish a hand. Anna captured 23 cards, 6 coins and the settebello, and made 1 scopa. Bruno captured 17 cards, 4 coins and made 2 scope.
For the primiera Anna has the 7 of coins, the 7 of cups, the 6 of swords and the ace of clubs: 21 + 21 + 18 + 16 = 76. Bruno has the 5 of coins, the 6 of cups, the 7 of swords and the 7 of clubs: 15 + 18 + 21 + 21 = 75.
| Item | Anna | Bruno |
|---|---|---|
| Cards (23 to 17) | 1 | 0 |
| Coins (6 to 4) | 1 | 0 |
| Settebello | 1 | 0 |
| Primiera (76 to 75) | 1 | 0 |
| Scope | 1 | 2 |
| Hand total | 5 | 2 |
Who wins the game
The points of each hand add up. On FantaCarte whoever first reaches 11 points wins; if both get there in the same hand whoever has more wins, and on equal points another hand is played.
To score more points
The settebello is worth a point on its own: take it as soon as you can. Keep an eye on the 7s and 6s, which decide the primiera, and don't leave cards on the table that add up to 10 or less: your opponent could make a scopa with a single card.