| "Escopa", also known as 15 "Escopa", a game of Italian origin, introduced in Brazil by Italian immigrants in the beginning of the nineteenth century, is still very popular in the so-called "Italian" neighborhoods in São Paulo. It is played by two, three or even four people; however, in this case, it is played in partnership. The cards of the deck numbered 8, 9 and 10 are removed (therefore, a 40-card deck is used) and each numbered card is ranked at its own face value; by convention, the King, Jack and the Queen are ranked 10, 9 and 8 points respectively and the Ace is ranked 1. Before the game begins, the players decide whether it will be worth 21 or 31 points. The number of hands is not preset; as many hands as necessary are played to obtain the points initially established. The purpose of this game is making the largest number possible of tricks and "escopas", so as to be the first one to reach the preset number of points. The trick is made when one can make 15 points, through a combination of a card in his hand and one or various cards on the table. When a player obtains 15 points, he captures all the cards used in the trick and place them by his side, face down. The "escopa" 9 (sweep) is made when the discarded card, added to all cards on the table, totals 15 points. Whenever one makes an "escopa", one of his cards is turned face up, so that, at the end, the number of "escopas" is easily identified throughout the game. The ranking system adopted for scoring purposes at the various rounds was that: for each "escopa" (sweep) - 1 point for having all of the Diamonds cards - 2 points for having most of the Diamonds cards - 1 point for having the Diamonds 7 (or "Guindis") - 1 point for having the four 7 cards, including the "Guindis" - 3 points for having most of the cards - 1 point for having most of the 7 cards - 1 point if the oponent has less than 10 cards - 2 points As observed, the individual rank of each card is totally meaningless for the scoring of points; only the total of 15 points during the rounds is important.
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