Escoba (2 player card game)

Objective: The objective of “Escoba” is to capture cards from the table by matching their values with cards from your hand and to score points based on the captured cards.

Adaptation for 2 Players: In the 2 player version of “Escoba,” the game is played similarly to the standard version, but with slight modifications to accommodate only two players.

Scoring: In “Escoba,” scoring is based on capturing certain cards from the table and forming specific combinations. The following cards have point values:

• The most cards: 1 point
• The most sevens: 1 point
• Each seven: 1 point
• The seven of coins (gold): 1 point
• The seven of cups (cups): 1 point
• The seven of swords (swords): 1 point
• The seven of clubs (clubs): 1 point
• Capturing the “Escoba” (sweep), which is capturing all the remaining cards on the table: 1 point

Setup:

1. Use a standard 40-card Spanish deck (remove the eights and nines).
2. Determine the starting player. This can be done by any agreed-upon method, such as flipping a coin or drawing cards from the shuffled deck.
3. Shuffle the deck and deal 4 cards to each player. Place the remaining cards face down in the center as the draw pile.

Gameplay:

1. The starting player begins the game by playing a card from their hand onto the table.
2. The other player then plays a card from their hand, trying to match the value of the card played by the first player. If they can’t match the value, they play any card.
3. If the played cards’ values add up to 15, the player who played the second card captures them and scores a point.
4. Play continues alternately, with each player playing one card at a time until all players have played all their cards.
5. After all cards have been played, players score points for the captured cards and combinations as described above.
6. The player who captured the “Escoba” scores an additional point.
7. Collect all the played cards and shuffle them to form a new draw pile.
8. Deal 4 more cards to each player and start a new round.
9. The game continues until all cards have been played, and the player with the most points wins.

Differentiation between Turns:

• Player 1’s Turn: Player 1 starts the game by playing the first card. They also play the first card in subsequent rounds.
• Player 2’s Turn: After Player 1 plays a card, Player 2 follows with a card. Throughout the game, Player 2 always plays after Player 1.

Summary: “Escoba” is an engaging 2 player card game where players aim to capture cards from the table to score points. With its straightforward rules and emphasis on strategic card play, it provides enjoyable entertainment for 2 players, even though it’s traditionally played with more participants.