Briscola Rules: Cards, Points and How to Win
Briscola is an Italian trick-taking game for two players (or four in partners) with a 40-card deck. Each player holds 3 cards and one card is turned up to name the trump suit (the “briscola”). You play one card per turn; the highest card of the led suit wins, unless a trump is played. The winner takes the cards, draws first and leads. Aces (11 points) and Threes (10) are worth the most, and you need 61 of the 120 points to win.
The Italian deck
Briscola uses a 40-card Italian deck with four suits: coins, cups, swords and clubs. Each suit has an Ace, the numbers 2 to 7, and three face cards: the Knave (8), the Knight (9) and the King (10). You can play it on GameLake: Briscola.
The deal and the trump
Each player gets 3 cards. The next card is turned face up and slid under the deck: its suit is the trump (briscola). That card stays there until the end and goes to whoever draws last.
What the cards are worth
Only five ranks score. They add up to 120 points in the whole deck.
The order of strength is different from the points: Ace, 3, King, Knight, Knave, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2. So the Three beats the King, and the 7 beats the 6.
How a trick works
- The player who leads plays any card.
- The others each play any card: you do not have to follow suit.
- If nobody plays a trump, the highest card of the led suit wins. If trumps are played, the highest trump wins.
- The winner takes all the cards, draws first (the others follow in turn) and leads the next trick.
The end of the game
When the deck is gone, nobody draws: you play out the last three tricks with the cards in your hands. Everyone then counts the points in the cards they took. With 61 or more you win; 60 each is a draw. In the 2 vs 2 game partners share their points.
Try it in Briscola against Hops and press Teach me, or read how to play Briscola and the strategy guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards are in Briscola?
40: the Italian deck with four suits (coins, cups, swords, clubs), each with Ace, 2 to 7, Knave, Knight and King.
What is the order of the cards in Briscola?
From high to low: Ace, 3, King, Knight, Knave, 7, 6, 5, 4, 2.
How many points do you need to win Briscola?
61 of the 120 points. 60–60 is a draw.
Do you have to follow suit in Briscola?
No. You may play any card, but a card of another suit that is not a trump never wins the trick.
Who draws first in Briscola?
The winner of the trick draws first, then the others in order. The last card of the deck is the turned-up trump.