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Download on Google Play- 2+ players plus a banker with a 40-card Italian deck.
- Banker deals two cards face-up on the table as the layout.
- Players place wagers on any face-up card on the table.
- Banker draws cards one at a time from the deck.
- If a drawn card matches a player's bet card, the player loses.
- If it matches the banker's layout card, players on that card win.
- Player wins are paid at even money.
- Banker collects the bet when a player's card matches first.
- Non-matching drawn cards join the layout for new bets.
Rules
Ziginette is an old Italian banking card game where players bet against a dealer, wagering on whether their chosen card will appear before the dealer's card in the draw.
Objective
As a player, bet on cards and win when the dealer's matching card is drawn before yours. As the banker, profit when players' cards appear first.
Setup
- Players: 2 or more players, plus a banker.
- Deck: 40-card Italian deck (or standard deck with 8s, 9s, and 10s removed).
- Layout: The banker deals two cards face-up on the table. Players place bets on these or future exposed cards.
Gameplay
- Betting: Players place their wagers on any face-up card on the table.
- Drawing: The banker draws cards one at a time from the deck. If a drawn card matches a player's bet card (same rank), the player loses their wager.
- Banker match: If the drawn card matches the banker's layout card, bets on the corresponding card are paid out to players.
- New cards: Non-matching drawn cards are added to the layout and become available for new bets.
Scoring
- Player wins: When the banker's card matches, the player is paid even money.
- Banker wins: When a player's card matches, the banker collects the bet.
- House edge: The banker has a natural advantage because player cards have slightly higher odds of appearing first.
Variations
- Monte Bank: A similar Mexican banking game derived from the same Italian roots.
- Rotating banker: The banker role passes after a set number of deals to share risk.
Tips and Strategies
- Bet on cards with fewer remaining matches in the deck to reduce the banker's edge.
- As banker, manage the pot carefully — large payouts can swing the balance quickly.
Tips & Strategy
Track which ranks have already appeared. Betting late when fewer matching cards remain can slightly improve your odds.
Since this is largely a game of chance, focus on bankroll management rather than trying to find a winning system.
Trivia & Fun Facts
Ziginette was so popular among Italian soldiers that it traveled across the Atlantic and influenced gambling games in the Americas.
Which famous American gambling game is thought to descend from Ziginette?
History & Culture
Ziginette was widely played in Italy during the 17th and 18th centuries and is considered a forerunner of Faro and Monte Bank.
Ziginette represents the Italian roots of the global banking card game tradition that eventually produced Faro and modern casino games.
Variations & House Rules
Monte Bank is its most famous descendant, popular in Mexico and the American Southwest during the 19th century.
Rotate the banker role every five deals to keep the game fair and engaging for all players.
