Burraco scoring: how to calculate your score

The most complicated part of the game of Burraco is certainly understanding the total point calculation after the game ends. The game consists of making a “Burraco” (a run of at least 7 cards of the same suit, or 7 cards of the same value), and then being able to close the game.

Card values

To understand how to calculate the score after closing it is worth first understanding the effective value of each card:

• Ace: 15 points
• From K (King) down to 8 inclusive: 10 points
• From 7 down to 3 inclusive: 5 points
• Joker: 30 points
• 2 (Pinella): 20 points

Types of Burraco and score calculation

The aim of the game is to form a Burraco, i.e. to arrange at least 7 cards of the same suit in ascending or descending order, or 7 cards of the same type, with or without the help of a joker or pinella.

There are different types of Burraco depending on the use of jokers or pinelle:

• Royal Burraco (300 points): without joker or pinella, a run from K (King) to Ace with the 2 in its natural position.
• Super Burraco (250 points): 8 cards of the same type without joker or pinella.
• Clean or pure Burraco (200 points): 7 cards of the same type or same suit in ascending or descending order without joker or pinella.
• Semi-clean Burraco (150 points): with joker or pinella, 8 cards of which 7 consecutive without the sequence being interrupted.
• Dirty Burraco (100 points): 7 cards with the use of a joker or pinella.

Negative and positive points

Penalty of 100 points: if an opponent has not taken the pozzetto. All the cards remaining in hand must be counted for their value and subtracted from the accumulated score.

Additional value of 100 points: for closing.

Once the four games have been completed (and all four players have been dealer), all the points are added up. The team with the highest score wins.

Victory point table for tournaments

During tournaments, the difference in score between the two pairs is used to calculate victory points according to this table:

• From 0 to 50 = 10/10
• Between 55 and 150 = 11/9
• Between 155 and 250 = 12/8
• Between 255 and 350 = 13/7
• Between 355 and 500 = 14/6
• Between 505 and 650 = 15/5
• Between 655 and 800 = 16/4
• Between 805 and 1000 = 17/3
• Between 1005 and 1250 = 18/2
• Between 1255 and 1500 = 19/1
• Above 1500 = 20/0