Burraco

108, to play in two

Burraco can be played by 2,3,4 or 5 players

The Burraco became widespread in Italy in the 1980s, although its origins are uncertain. It is a popular game that involves an increasing number of fans. During the game, luck plays a predominant role over skill.

The goal of the Burraco is to score more points than the opposing team. To achieve this goal, players must form sequences or combinations of cards (see image) and get rid of all the valuable cards in their possession.

The game begins with the dealer distributing cards, eleven cards are dealt to each the players. The player to the right of the dealer then takes twenty-two cards from the bottom of the deck to form two new decks. These deks are called “pits” and no player must see the cards from which they are formed.

The game begins with the placement of the deck, or remaining cards, in the center of the table. The first card of this deckplay becomes the first discard or mount card. The player who is “in hand” can decide whether to take the first card of the deck or the face up of the discard pile, according to their cards.

Each player, when in hand, is obliged to draw a card from the deck or to collect the entire pile of discard. After this choice, the player can open the game by dropping an orderly sequence of cards or a combination of at least three cards on the table. Both sequences and combinations can be formed by inserting only one joker: a joker or a pinella (2 of any suit). You cannot display sequences of pinelle only, joker only or a mix between pinelle and joker. In addition, you need to discard a card. The burraco consists of a sequence or combination of at least 7 cards.
The first player of a team who runs out of cards goes to the pits and therefore picks up the top one. The aim is to get rid of all your cards by sequences and combinations.
Burraco’s hand ends when one of the two pairs meets all three conditions:
• the pit has been used up;
• the couple has made at least one burraco, no matter whether pure or impure;
• one of the two players has used up all his cards and made the discard. However, in the latter case it is forbidden to play a Joker or a pinella.
A whole game of Burraco is composed of more than one hand and ends when one of the two sides on the field reaches the score of 2005 points.

At the end of the hand, the score is calculated as follows
For those who have closed the hand:
• closing prize: 100 points;
• calculation of the score for cards played on the table, which is subtracted from the score of those left in the hand of the player’s partner who has closed;
• each pure burraco: 200 points;
• every impure burraco: 100 points.
For the losers:
• each pure burraco: 200 points;
• every impure burraco: 100 points.
• calculation of the score for cards played on the table, from which the score of those left in their hands is subtracted: if the pair has not opened any game, this negative score shall be doubled;
• If the couple has not had a chance to collect their own pit, they pay 100 negative points for missed take.
Value of cards: Cards between 3 and 7 are worth 5 points each, from 8 to King are worth 10 points each, the Ace is worth 15 points, the 2 (pinella) is worth 20 points and the Joker is worth 30 points. At the bottom of the score are reported victory points awarded to pairs in tournaments based on the difference in scoring at the end of the game.