Scopa, meaning "sweep", is one of the most popular Italian games, also played with slightly different rules in Spain, South America, Hungary and North Africa.

Games start with the deal of three hidden cards to each player. Four other cards are then dealt face up from the pile to the centre of the table, ready to be ‘captured’ by the two players. The starting player is chosen at random and he tries to capture one or more cards on the table. Captured cards are stacked up in front of each player.

To capture cards on the table a player needs to choose one of his own cards that adds up to the same value as one or more cards on the table. So, with a 7 in your hand, you can, for example pick up a 5 and a 2 on the table and add these to your own capture pile.

If a capture cannot be made, one of the player's cards must be discarded and placed face up on the table with the others, thus increasing the choice of cards which the opponent may then capture.

Each player continues in turn until both have no cards left in their hand. At this point, another three cards are dealt to each player and the game continues until all cards have been dealt from the deck. The last player to capture any cards on the table also picks up any remaining cards left face up.