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Download on Google Play- 5 players, 40-card deck.
- Deal 8 cards each.
- Bid, then caller names a card for secret partnership.
- Follow suit if possible.
- Highest trump or led-suit card wins.
- Secret partner revealed when called card is played.
- Caller's team needs 61+ points to win.
- Winners score, losers get nothing.
Rules
Briscola Chiamata is the five-player version of Briscola where one player secretly calls a partner by naming a specific card, creating hidden alliances that are revealed through gameplay.
Objective
The caller and their secret partner try to win more than half the card points. The other three players work together to stop them.
Setup
- Players: 5 players.
- Deck: 40 cards (standard deck with 8s, 9s, and 10s removed).
- Deal: Deal 8 cards to each player.
Gameplay
- Step 1: Players bid by naming a card point value. The highest bidder becomes the caller and names a specific card (e.g., Ace of Hearts). The holder of that card is the secret partner.
- Step 2: The caller leads the first trick. Players must follow suit if possible.
- Step 3: The named card's suit becomes the trump suit. The highest trump or highest card of the led suit wins.
- Step 4: The secret partner is not revealed until the called card is played, creating tension and deduction.
Scoring
- The deck contains 120 points total. The caller's team needs more than 60 to win.
- If the caller's team wins, both the caller and partner score points. If they lose, all three opponents score.
Variations
- Solo Bid: The caller can choose to play alone without a partner for double points.
- Briscola Chiamata al Due: The caller names a card ranked 2 or higher for a riskier alliance.
Tips and Strategies
- Call a card you do not hold but need for tricks.
- As the secret partner, play subtly to avoid revealing yourself too early.
- Opponents should watch for unusual plays that suggest a hidden alliance.
Tips & Strategy
As the caller, name a card that complements your hand. As the secret partner, balance helping your ally with maintaining your cover.
The deduction element is key. Reading opponents' plays to identify the secret partner early gives the defending team a huge advantage.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The secret partnership mechanic makes Briscola Chiamata one of the most socially engaging card games, as players constantly try to deduce alliances.
How does the caller select their secret partner in Briscola Chiamata?
History & Culture
Briscola Chiamata evolved from the traditional Italian Briscola to accommodate five players and is widely played throughout Italy.
Briscola Chiamata is one of Italy's most popular social card games, especially in southern Italy, where five-player gatherings are common.
Variations & House Rules
Solo bids let the caller play alone for higher stakes. Calling lower-ranked cards creates riskier but more rewarding partnerships.
Allow the caller to choose between solo play and partnership based on hand strength.
