Scopa

Italian fishing card game — capture table cards by matching or summing to a played card; sweep the table for a 'scopa'.

🌤indoor

What is Scopa?

Scopa is an Italian fishing-style card game and arguably the most-played card game in Italy. Two players each hold three cards; four cards are laid on the table. On your turn you play one card and capture any single or set of table cards that match its value or sum to it. Sweep the table clean and it's a 'scopa' — one bonus point. Complex end-of-hand scoring around Primiera, sette bello and cards captured make each hand tactical.

Quick facts

Category

Card Games

Type

Individual

Players

2–6

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇮🇹 Italy

Estimated origin

18th-century Italy — arguably the most-played card game in Italy

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-24.verified