How To Play Briscola - With a Play-Through, Tips and Strategy

[@wildflower1335]

I almost didn't click on this video on Clara's channel...I'm so glad I did. It's you, Clara's grandson. Oh how wonderful. You have her "can do attitude", that helps us believe we can do it also.

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks so much for watching. Thanks also for being a fan of Nana. She's always been my role model, so I really appreciated the comparison!

[@Simonefrank99]

I used to play this with my Sicilian mum when I was a child, it's an Italian classic! thanks for reminding me how to play :)

[@Play-In-Games]

Glad to offer a refresher! Briscola is a classic that should be passed on through the generations!

[@warwagontppowercarrestorat1456]

I sure miss Clara

[@Pasphy]

In Spain this game is also very popular, here we call it "brisca", it is considered above all familiar and introductory to more complex trick games because of how quick and easy it is to learn. Although I haven't played it in decades, I have a special affection for it because as a child I played it a lot with my grandparents.

[@Play-In-Games]

Great memories!

[@michaelhudecek2778]

I sure miss Clara too as the previous person stated!! But I’m glad to see you Chris on KZbin with a new channel!! Michael Long Island

[@Play-In-Games]

Thank you!

[@mariecaulkins406]

Thank you for teaching Briscola! I’m 60, and my grandfather (who was from the island of Stromboli) tried to teach me Briscola as I child. I thought the game might have died off, as so many things do over time, so I’m very grateful for you teaching it!

[@Play-In-Games]

Yes let’s keep Briscola alive! You are Volcanic royalty by the way, not many people can trace family back to Stromboli. I’ve been dreaming about going there. I made it to the Aeolian islands (Volcano) but the seas were to rough to get to Stromboli. Someday I’ll get there and I’ll make sure to get a round of Briscola in. Thanks for watching!

[@mariecaulkins406]

Thank you! My grandmother was from Lipari! We went to the county records building when visiting 5 years ago and saw their names handwritten in the books of birth records. So special for me! Ironically, two people from the Aeolian islands met in Brooklyn, NY and got married almost 100 years ago. What are the odds?! Thank you again for teaching these games👏🏼👏🏼

[@eastcoastnews9529]

I’m in my 50’s from 🇵🇷but raised in the north end bastan BOSTON ❤️🥰 and we played this for hours outside in the alleyway when they was safe for neighborhood kids. We just called it BRISCA. No cell phones no computers no appointments just good human interaction.

[@smitc061]

Love this video. Been playing this and Scopa! All Christmas. Thanks!! It’d be great if you could do a walkthrough / explain of the 2 teams of 2 version. Been trying to find somewhere that explains it in detail but it’s impossible :)

[@rebeccas3633]

I second this. We have also been trying to find a place to learn the teams version, or the Married Couple version that is mentioned.

[@Juliana65]

I just finished watching Clara's Depression Breakfast! I love her cooking videos :-) I thought I recognized you when this video came up in my stream :-)

[@glennkonze4920]

Same! Clara's grandson is a gentleman and a scholar. His preservation actions should be recognized and shared with the Smithsonian.

[@jakev6977]

Gonna play this with my Italian friend who is also my sister because we're Italian American :)

[@niccolosia]

Great video! Well explained! Can’t wait to teach my family and play Briscola! Thanks 👍🏻

[@Play-In-Games]

Thank you!

[@rafa57games]

It was a great example game. Even though it wasn't scripted, you got to show some strategies and that sometimes winning less doesn't means scoring less

[@pdemp5780]

I really enjoy your videos. Thank you!

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks! Keep playing these amazing games, help keep them alive!

[@RL-sv5nc]

Hi, brilliant explanatory videos, and I'm really enjoying playing briscola and scopa with my other half (just got two sets of Italian cards as well, to compare some of the regional art styles) but could you explain why dealing a two of the briscola suit should lead to a re-deal? I get the 'black hand' special rule and like that, but the two of briscola? Probably being a bit thick but over my head!

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks so much for the comment and I'm happy to hear that you're playing with the real cards! The 2 of the Briscola suit mis-deal rule is completely optional. I personally don't tend to use it with new people because it's just one more thing to remember, but I thought it was worth mentioning because many players use it. I'm not sure the reasoning behind the rule either. It's typical to remove a random 2 when playing a game with 3 players so there isn't an extra dealt card at the end. Perhaps that's the reason? Let me know if you find out why. Thanks again for watching and keep playing!

[@jorredebacker716]

Hi I don’t know what to do when you get the 2 of the briscola suit? Can the player ask to get three new cards or do you shuffle all cards again including the three of your opponent? Great video man!!

[@Play-In-Games]

Hi. Great question. On the very first deal, the player with the 2 of Briscola can call for a mis-deal or not. If they call for it, all the cards must be reshuffled and re-dealt. It's possible that they might like their hand and keep the cards. This is a totally optional rule, just make sure everyone knows about it before you play. Thanks for watching!

[@derekgillman652]

Brusquembille is probable ancestor of Briscola.You find it under Ace Ten card games.32 card deck .A is 11 then 10 is 10 .K is 4 Q is 3 and J is 2.

[@Play-In-Games]

That’s really interesting! Are there any sites with instructions? Thanks for watching!

[@tcliveaction]

Thanks for the awesome video. Teaching my dad how to play from your video!! He remembers his father and grandparents sitting around the table with wino and cards flying lol. Can you do a video on bruscola with 3 and 4 players please. I can't find it anywhere

[@Play-In-Games]

Thank you I’m glad to hear you got your family playing the game again. I hope to show team play at some point. 3 players is just the same but remove one of the 2 cards like the 2 of swords (spades). 4 players is also the same but play in 2 teams of 2, sitting opposite your teammate.

[@janemansbridge9427]

In Sicily at the moment on holiday. Just bought a pack of cards as we'd forgotten to bring our own. Inadvertently bought a pack of briscola cards hence watching your video. Do you have a video of you playing with briscola cards? Would be somewhat easier to absorb playing the game with the actual briscola cards which I've never seen before. Thanks for the informative video. Ciao!

[@Play-In-Games]

Lucky vacation local! If you have a deck of Italian style cards, please check out my Scopa and Tressette videos, i cover their values and how to identify the suits and face cards. Although the values change from game to game, the cards are interchangeable. Hope it’s helpful!

[@liam6825]

Hahaha this is exactly what happened to me too but in Croatia! Glad I found this video though Briscola is fun!

[@DiabolikalRA]

My girlfriends mother loves this game and I wanted to learn it. I tried the Wikipedia and other places but wasn't getting it. But this video has helped me immensely to fully understand this game. Thank you 🤘

[@Play-In-Games]

Excellent glad to help. It’s a great game and nice to see that it will pass through the generations. Thanks for watching!

[@alberto5980]

Bel video!

[@Play-In-Games]

Grazie!

[@junker154]

Excellent video! I love Briscola but I am really awful at it. My italian friends just beat me so often. I tried introducing the game to non card players and have a rough time. Your video nails it down and explains in detail the dynamics and rules.

[@Play-In-Games]

Happy to help. You’ll be beating your friends in no time! Thanks for watching.

[@kimberlymurray731]

Hi Chris! Great videos! I love playing euchre (similar trick-taking game with a "blessed" suit) but as you mentioned, euchre is a game that requires a player to "follow suit" that is led in order to avoid "reneging." Could briscola be played this way? Euchre is very similar to the "married couple" version of briscola where a person "calls the suit."

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks! I’m a big fan of Euchre and hope to feature it soon. It does have some great similarities to the Italian games. Tressette for example has the “follow suit” rule too. I’m not aware of a variant of Briscola that plays with the strict following of played suits, but hey, it’s Italian and there’s never just one way of doing anything there! Thanks for watching!

[@marilynmarilynohearn476]

Love the game

[@flybyhey]

Love the video!!! It truly helped me to demolish my opponents. I am not kidding. I know it sounds like I am, but I am not. Truly. Thank you 🙏

[@dindi8270]

Many thanks for this very clear explanatory video ! The same demonstration using an actual Italian (Sicilian) card deck would have been great to help in becoming familiar with those cards...

[@andyhre]

Question for you: if you win with the Black Hand in a game to 150, how many points do you award the winner? Or does the Black Hand automatically win the whole game, as if you got to 150?

[@Play-In-Games]

Great question. The Black Hand generally only applies to "winner takes all" style of play. However you can make a house rule for it with points games. A house rule we occasionally use is that it's worth 60 points (half of all the points), it ends the round and the other players get nothing that round. I'm not aware of any official rules on this, so just make sure everyone is in agreement with whatever you decide. Thanks for watching!

[@googleyeyes5122]

No offense, but maybe you should never shuffle in a game... Your opponent got most of the good cards. 😬 😂 It was fun watching. Ain't gonna lie. I was hesitant to click on these videos thinking they were about how to win casino card games. Boy was I happily wrong! 😊

[@MasterLorimer]

Chris, I play the Spanish (-Puerto Rican) version called Brisca. In Brisca, the 7 of the same Briscola suit can be exchanged for the up faced Briscola card (called Vida). It can be exchanged at anytime before the last 2 draw cards remain. There is another rule the the 2 of the same suit can do the same as the 7, but only before the first draw pickup. These rules allows players to pick up any Brisca/Briscola of A, 3, 10, 11, and 12 early in the game. Does Briscola have a similar rule?

[@Play-In-Games]

That's really interesting. I recently played Brisca with my Puerto Rican friend and she had a Spanish deck, which is a beautiful deck in its own right! We played Italian style, but she did mention the 7 rule, I wonder if it's a Spanish or PR rule? As far as I know that's not in the Italian play, but there are many variations and possibly it is accepted in some Italian play. I'll look into it more! Thanks for watching!

[@letsgomets002]

We called it Brisk...with all my Italian American friends

[@Play-In-Games]

Nice, I'm glad to hear that it's still being played and enjoyed here. Do you have any unique rules or variations in your play? Thanks for watching!

[@robinlewis8104]

Nicely explained. Thanks. Familiar with Scopa, now know Briscola too!

[@vichnayapamyat7805]

How would a group proceed if two players played a card of equal value? ie, the briškula suit is coins, but two players placed queens of other suits? how would they determine who wins that round? Or would that play be disregarded as a whole?

[@Play-In-Games]

Great question. The suit which leads a hand determines that hands dominant suit. So if you are the first player to go and you put down the queen/horse of clubs, the only cards which could win would be higher cards than the queen/horse in that hands lead suit (clubs) or any card in the briscola suit (coins). If a queen/horse was played in the remaining suits, it would lose since it was neither the lead suit of clubs or in the briscola suit, coins. If the queen/horse which lead the hand was in the briscola suit (coins) the only cards that could win would be the king, 3 or ace of coins. So you see each hands lead suit determines the suits which can win, other than that rounds briscola suit which overpowers all other suits. Hope that helps and thanks for watching!

[@nasnaz2506]

by whatching this video I begin to like Briscola

[@Play-In-Games]

Thank you! It’s a great game that is truly timeless.

[@martynrsmith8475]

Hi Cannot find any info on the married couple version.

[@Play-In-Games]

Oh no. The shortest way to explain it is that instead of 3 cards for each player, 5 are dealt out. There is no face up Briscola card in the middle either. So only the highest card in the lead suit can win each hand. After each player has played their card, everyone replenishes their hand back to 5 cards, starting with the player who won that hand. Now should a player have a King and Queen of the same suit, they have a "Married Couple." At any time (even if it's not their turn, or in between play) they can reveal those cards to the players. Which ever suit the "Married Couple" were, now becomes the Briscola suit. That player also earns a bonus 40 points for that round. So, say it was the King and Queen of Clubs, Clubs will beat out any other suit, whether it's the lead or not. If another player or even that same player gets a second "Married Couple" they can reveal it and change the suit to that new "Married Couple's" suit (kind of like the Wild card in UNO). Only the first shown "Married Couple" receives 40 bonus points, each subsequent still gets a bonus, but of 20 points per "Married Couple." Other than those rules, everything else should still be the same as basic Briscola. Hope that helps! Perhaps I should do a quick video on it...

[@martynrsmith8475]

Thank you very much, perfectly explained. Only snags I can see is 1) you are showing your opponent two cards and 2) the game could quickly end with these extra 100 points on offer.

[@jakev6977]

Cool

[@Play-In-Games]

Thank you!

[@Xeltagon]

Hi Chris, great video but I'm wondering if it would be possible to play this game with an uneven number of players like 3 people. Thanks

[@Play-In-Games]

Yes, absolutely. We usually take out one card when playing with an uneven number. I would recommend a “2” card as it is low enough not to effect the gameplay significantly. Hope that works for you and thanks for watching!

[@Xeltagon]

@@Play-In-Games ok thanks

[@rebeccas3633]

@@Play-In-Games would you take out all of the "2"s (in all suits) or just one?

[@Play-In-Games]

@@rebeccas3633 if you are playing with an odd number of players, just remove one 2 in a non-briscola suit.

[@eastcoastnews9529]

We’re is family and humanity today? With so much abundance but no love For your family and your fellow man

[@acpollazzo]

can you make a video on briscola chiamata pleasE?

[@Play-In-Games]

That's a great game. It's tough to film games that need 5 players though. Let me think about it.

[@michaelhudecek2778]

Chris do you have any other channels??

[@Play-In-Games]

This one is a fun passion project, most of my other work is outside of KZbin - cannucciari.com - thanks for watching!

[@noimnotakpoppfpsheacy2526]

YESS

[@amessagefromthepatriots]

Does the final hand have to still be in the Briscola suit? Or it is just whoever has the highest scoring cards?

[@Play-In-Games]

Good question. All hands can be led in any suit, the Briscola suit still beats all other suits when played. In this version whichever suit was established as Briscola will remain as the high suit through every hand including the final hand.

[@loicestrade4054]

Can you call out the Black Hand when it is dealt to you or when you get it during gameplay or both?

[@Play-In-Games]

It only applies to the very first deal. If you get it you show it immediately and win that game.

[@Heisy0198]

Im trying to learn Briscola with the traditional cards,this video helps alot! Thanks so much

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks 🙏

[@lotionman2587]

My god, you resemble your Gramma! It's something to do with the mouth, intonations, or perhaps mannerisms. Attitude, maybe? It's uncanny. If there were a room full of twenty guys and I were asked to pick out Clara's grandson, I'd choose you in two seconds. Am sure you're proud of your inheritance -- with great reason:)

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks for the profound compliment. She was one of a kind and we all miss her greatly.

[@ruthk7362]

In the version we play one only wins a round if they get the majority (61 or more) of points and you don't total those points from one hand to another, but wait until someone wins three times. So a two person game goes well, but today with three players no one won a round for a while. Any idea how the Black Hand works (or not)in that form of the game?

[@Play-In-Games]

You are correct the Black Hand is mainly used for set scoring games rather than or nothing games with 61 points or more taking the game. That said it can be used in all or noting games as a bonus score. Agree on a bonus point amount with your fellow players before playing.

[@sizcate]

thanks for the video!! i was just looking for this game and you explained it perfectly!! i have a question though, in 13:39, if I played K instead of 3, would i have won that round? thank you!!

[@jhlfsc]

This is a great video! I only wish you did a few rounds with the Italian deck to help get us acclimated to those symbols, but great video nonetheless!👍

[@GiovanniCapannori]

How many points is la mano nera worth? Or do you just win the whole game when you have it and start another one fresh?

[@Play-In-Games]

I’m not aware of any specific rule for this. It’s a non issue if you are playing high score takes the round and a Black Hand would straight up win right away. If you’re playing for final points, you and your fellow players should agree on the value of a Black Hand. Could be as many as 120 or could be a misdeal, you decide and agree. Thanks for the great questions. Good luck!

[@giuseppesavaglio8136]

Who plays to 150? A match is 2 rounds. Add up the scores in the 1st round, let's say 56 v 64. The 2nd round you must beat what your opponent scored. If it's a tie at the end of 2 rounds play a 3rd round tie breaker or you can replay the 2 rounds over. Play best of 3 matches to eliminate a bit of card luck draw. Great video otherwise. When we played in our Italian household there would be teams of 2. It mostly ended up adults verses kids or mother/son, father/daughter combo and we would verse each other and the goal was to occupy your table as long as possible. You never heard so much yelling and arguing over your bad card signals as you could not directly say what you had to your partner, a no no. If you had odd number teams you would just watch the others play and you would waste the evening away. Italian short black coffee abounded with hard Italian biscotti's all round and dunk in the coffee. I was one of the children and this was 50 years ago, good times.

[@Play-In-Games]

I love all of this! These games do bring back so many memories and help create new ones too. We played equal amounts of best 2 out of 3 games and for final score. When visiting our family in Rome, my Zio Massimo preferred to play for final points and I have played this way elsewhere in Italy, however every region and family has their preferred style and variations. Team play is very fun and we love to play like you played. Thanks for watching!

[@giuseppesavaglio8136]

@@Play-In-Games Ciao a tutti.😀

[@rhizophora4records]

How we change trump cards like 7 and 2 rule ???

[@Play-In-Games]

The Briscola suit is determined by the dealer flipping over the next card after the initial deal. The suit shown on that card is this rounds Briscola suit. It does not change until the whole deck is depleted, scores are calculated and the new dealer repeats the process for the next round, thus revealing a new briscola suit.

[@maryjanepanke3017]

I recently watched this game played and the teams employed facial expressions across the table to let their partners know what cards they had. Is this a common pratice for Briscola? It was very fast paced and quite entertaining.

[@Play-In-Games]

Yes that’s very true. The rule of thumb that I learned is; in team play you can never make a vocal signal, but you can make facial expressions. You’re not supposed to make them in the first round, but after that round the flood gates are opened and the crazy faces begin. It’s a bit intimidating the first time you do it, because expectations are high your you to both send and receive the signals. Consider yourself fortunate to have witnessed it!

[@Snook_GotIt_DaTrxpsta-Rx]

Is this da same a trappola card game

[@Play-In-Games]

Trappola is a different game. Perhaps I’ll make a video in it at some point. Thanks for watching!

[@nopulpapple991]

Why are the 3's worth 10 points instead of the 2's?

[@Play-In-Games]

Italy

[@nopulpapple991]

@@Play-In-Games After some research, it looks like it might have something to do with the dueces being able to close the deck before the game starts, so the next available card would be 3. Seems plausible.

[@Play-In-Games]

Ah ha, good work! I owe some more research to the games around the time of Primero. I imagine they had special orders which evolved into the Italian games. Or it could just be Italy being Italy 😂

[@mrpeel3239]

Is the Black Hand scored for a round as 25?

[@Play-In-Games]

Great question. I've only seen the "Black Hand" rule in effect for all-or-nothing games, as in non-point scoring games. For example, when playing best 2 out of 3 games. If anyone has played with a the "Black Hand" rule in a points game, please share! Thanks for watching!

[@mrpeel3239]

@@Play-In-Games Thank you. Yours is the best card instructionional YT channel!

[@Play-In-Games]

@@mrpeel3239 Thank you!

[@Miniramp_maniac]

Hi !

[@Play-In-Games]

Hi!

[@binchamers]

This sounds like it’s pretty similar to the Dutch card game of “Toepen” fun to see that versions exist in other places too! Would love to see you check out some Dutch decks, the aces have great art on them!

[@Play-In-Games]

Thanks for the suggestion perhaps I’ll pick up a Dutch deck. Are their any other popular Dutch games you think I should learn?

[@binchamers]

@@Play-In-Games The only other one that people play a lot is “Pesten” (meaning: “Bullying”) which is internationally better known from it’s german version: mau-mau. The popular game uno was based on those two. Other popular games are “klaverjassen” and “hartenjagen” but I have not played those myself. Internationally popular games like Bridge, Blackjack and Texas’ Holdem are also popular.

[@Ploskkky]

That is a great card game.

[@Play-In-Games]

Well said!

[@Ploskkky]

@@Play-In-Games I thought about it for a long time :).

[@miskopisko8833]

Hard to watch with regular cards

[@Play-In-Games]

Agree 100%. I would like to do a version with the Sicilian deck soon.

[@stevieweebee]

I like the regular cards better,but I like playing conquian with Spanish card

[@dabeetusflakes293]

not rlly

[@eastcoastnews9529]

BRISCA FOR MY OLD ISLAND PEOPLE. And the domino games ❤ I miss the guys , dad , grandma and grandpa the uncles all under the flamboyantTree in the patio . We’re is humanity today?

[@joangonzalez8764]

Goes too fast.

[@Play-In-Games]

Life does go too fast, enjoy every moment!

[@nickferara8945]

Omg don't play with regular cards...it's hard to watch. Spend the 6 bucks for a proper deck.

[@Play-In-Games]

100% agree, the only way this game should be played is with Italian or Spanish cards. However for beginners, it's quicker to learn with a poker deck and then take the next step after they learn the rules. Thanks for watching!