Scopa is an Italian card game played with a standard Italian 40-card deck. It is most commonly played between two players or two teams of two players each, but can also be played with 3, 4, or 6 individual players. Scopa is a trick-taking game. The name is the Italian verb meaning "to sweep" since taking a "scopa" means you have "swept" all the cards from the pool. Scopa is also a slang term for sexual intercourse, this may be related since capturing a "scopa" scores you a full point. Watching a game of scopa can be highly entertaining an activity since true connoisseurs of the game mantain that lively and colorful (and somewhat strong-worded) banter in between hands is a vital part of the game.
A deck of Italian cards consist of 40 cards, divided into four suits. Neapolitan, Piacentine, Triestine cards are divided into Coppe (Cups), Ori or Denari (Golds or Coins), Spade (Swords) and Bastoni (Clubs), while Milanesi and Toscane cards use the 'French' suits, that is Cuori (Hearts),...
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