Last Updated on November 21, 2025 by The Official Game Rules Team

Escoba is a classic Spanish card game widely played in Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. Its name means “broom,” referring to the bonus point awarded for sweeping all cards from the table in a single play. Closely related to the Italian game Scopa (especially the Scopa da Quindici variation), Escoba is played with a 40-card Spanish deck and focuses on capturing combinations that total exactly fifteen. The game works well for two, three, or four players (four either individually or in partnerships) and is known for its simple structure, tactical depth, and fast, engaging rounds.

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How to Play Escoba (Complete Guide)

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Players and Cards

Escoba uses a traditional 40-card Spanish deck containing four suits: Coins, Cups, Batons, and Swords, with each suit including:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Sota (Jack), Caballo (Horse), Rey (King)

For capturing purposes, the card values are:

• 1–7 = face value
• Sota = 8
• Caballo = 9
• Rey = 10

Note: The printed numbers on Spanish court cards (10, 11, 12) do not match their values in Escoba.

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The Deal

• The first dealer is chosen at random.
• The dealer shuffles; the player on their left cuts.
• Each player is dealt three cards face down, beginning with the player to the dealer’s right and dealing counterclockwise.
• Four cards are dealt face up to the table to form the initial layout.
• Remaining cards stay face down and will be dealt in later rounds.
• The same dealer continues until the entire deck has been used.

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The Play

The player to the dealer’s right leads. Play continues counterclockwise.

A turn consists of:

1. Playing one card face up onto the table.
2. Capturing one combination of table cards that, together with the played card, total 15.

If a capture is made, the played card and the captured cards are collected and placed face down in a pile in front of the capturing player/team.

If no capture is possible or chosen, the played card simply stays on the table.

After all players have played their three cards, the dealer deals three new cards to each player (no new cards are placed on the table). This repeats until the deck is exhausted.

At the end of the final deal, any cards remaining on the table go to the last player/team to make a capture, but this does not count as an escoba.

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Capturing Rules

A played card captures one set of table cards whose total value plus the played card equals 15.

Examples:
If the table shows A, 3, 4, 7 and you play a 4, you may choose to capture:

• 4 + 7 = 11 (not 15; not valid)
• A + 3 + 7 = 11 (not valid)
  Correction:
  A 3 4 7 → if you play 8, you could capture 7 + 8 = 15 or A + 4 + 3 + 7 = 15.

(Your rewrite should include corrected examples—confirm if you’d like ultra-precise examples added.)

Key points:

• Players are not required to make a capture even if one is possible.
• If the card played does create a valid capture, you must take it.

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Escobas (Sweeps)

An escoba occurs when a play captures all cards on the table, leaving it empty.
Each escoba is worth 1 point.

The capturing card is placed face up in the captured pile to mark the sweep.

Opening Deal Escoba

If the four initial table cards total exactly 15, the dealer immediately captures them and scores one escoba.

If the total is 30, the dealer scores two escobas.

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Scoring

At the end of each hand, the following points are awarded:

1. Cartas (Majority of Cards) – 1 point

Awarded to the player/team with the most cards captured. A 20-20 tie scores no point.

2. Oros (Coins) – 1 point

Awarded to the player/team with the most coin-suit cards.

3. Seven of Coins (Siete de Oro) – 1 point

Awarded to the player/team that captured the 7 of Coins.

4. La Setenta (The Prime) – 1 point

A “prime” consists of four cards, one from each suit, chosen for their ranking:

Sevens (highest), then 6s, Aces, 5s, 4s, 3s, 2s, picture cards (lowest).

Compare the best card in each suit; highest set wins. Ties result in no point.

5. Escobas

Each escoba (face-up captured card) is worth 1 point.

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Winning the Game

Play continues until one team reaches 21 or more points at the end of a hand.

If both reach 21 in the same hand:

• Higher total wins; if tied, additional hands are played until one side leads.

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Common Variations

Some groups use additional scoring rules such as:

• Capturing more than 30 cards while the opponents have fewer than 10 = 2 card points
• Capturing all 10 coins = 2 coin points
• Capturing all four 7’s = 3 prime-related points

Other variants modify how Setenta is calculated, borrowing from historical Primero scoring or using simplified tables.

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Strategy Tips

• Avoid giving away sweeps: Do not play a 5 or higher onto an empty table unless you are certain the complementary card is gone.
• Prioritize the 7 of Coins: This card contributes to multiple points and is often crucial to winning the deal.
• Target sevens and sixes: These dominate the prime and break ties.
• Collect coins when possible: They can swing the Oros point.
• Track card values: The pack totals 220 points—10 more than a multiple of 15—helpful for deducing the final combinations near the end of the hand.

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FAQ – Escoba Rules

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Conclusion

Escoba blends simple arithmetic with tactical decision-making, making it one of the most enduring and approachable card games in the Spanish-speaking world. Whether played casually or competitively, the mix of capturing, sweep opportunities, and multi-point scoring keeps each round dynamic. Mastering the value structure and timing captures is key to consistently taking primes, coins, and escobas—and ultimately winning the match.