THE RICHMOND HILL SOCIAL & BOCCE CLUB

Our Services

We offer a range of services to cater to the interests and needs of Richmond Hill seniors. Our programs include bingo, cards, dance, bocce, and social activities. We also organize bus trips for our members to enjoy. And many more

Bingo

Cards

Engage in friendly card games with fellow members. Like Scopa

SCOPA

Scopa is a national treasure worthy of pasta-level reverence. While the exact origins of the game are not definitively documented, it is believed to date back to at least the 15th century, during the time of the Italian Renaissance. It likely emerged in the taverns and public gathering spots, where people congregated to play card games as a form of entertainment and camaraderie and, evidently, never stopped.

Those who grew up playing Scopa (namely, all Italians) will tell you that it’s an easy game. For most of us, it was our second language. But hours of watching our non-Italian friends crumble in frustration have taught us that it is in fact a little complicated…so don’t feel bad if your first time playing Scopa has you a little bewildered.

The objective? To sweep up all the cards–the word “scopa” translates to “broom” in Italian, referencing the action of sweeping up cards from the table during gameplay.

• Objective: To capture as many cards as possible from the table by matching their values with cards in your hand.

• Deck: A traditional Italian deck of 40 cards is used. Values range from 1 (Ace) to 7. Each card belongs to one of four suits: cups, coins, swords, and clubs.

• Setup: Each player is dealt 3 cards, and 4 cards are placed face-up on the table.

• Capturing Cards: On your turn, you play a card from your hand and capture cards from the table that either are equal to or add up to the same value as the card you played. If there are multiple ways to capture, you must choose only one.

• Scoring: Players earn points for captured cards. Some cards have specific point values, such as 7 of coins (Scopa) which grants an extra point. The goal is to have the most points by the end of the game.

• Special Rules: If a player captures all the remaining cards on the table in a single play (a “scopa“), they earn an additional point.

• Ending the Round: Once all players have played their hands, the round ends. Points are tallied, and a new round begins. The first player to reach a set number of points (usually 11, 16, or 21) wins the game.

• Strategy: Players need to carefully consider which cards to play to capture maximum cards while denying their opponent opportunities. Memorizing which cards have been played is also crucial.