Semi-clean Burraco: game terminology

To start playing Burraco you need to know the specific terms and understand the game mechanics in detail in order to compete with other players. During a game, to earn points and close the game, you must form combinations known as runs.

Runs are used to form a “Burraco” and can be of different types: clean, semi-clean or dirty. Initially the semi-clean Burraco was not considered a valid combination, but from 2008 onwards the Italian Burraco Federation (Fibur) recognised the validity of this run, meaning it can now be used in any tournament or online game.

With the introduction of the semi-clean Burraco it is easier for players to accumulate points and adopt new strategies to close the game, but the primary objective of every match to ensure a decisive victory is always to achieve a clean Burraco.

Differences between types of Burraco

To understand the difference between a clean, semi-clean and dirty Burraco it is necessary to understand the different types of runs that can be formed and which strategies are best for winning the game.

The term clean Burraco identifies a run or combination consisting of seven cards of the same suit in ascending or descending sequence, without the addition of wild cards such as a matta or pinella. For example, a clean Burraco is: King, Queen, Jack, Ten, Nine, Eight and Seven of clubs.

According to the Fibur definition, a semi-clean Burraco is a sequence of 7 cards that may be preceded or followed by a pinella. The pinelle can never be inserted between the cards, but can only be placed at the beginning or end of the run.

There are two different combinations for achieving a semi-clean Burraco: the first option is to create a run and add a pinella or joker that follows or precedes the other six cards, while the second sequence consists of eight cards with the wild card added among the cards.

If you are playing a game, choosing to achieve a semi-clean Burraco allows you to more easily form a combination of 7 cards and close the game immediately.

Unlike the clean Burraco, the semi-clean one has an overall value of 150 points and to indicate it, the wild card is customarily placed sideways across the run. It should be noted that the semi-clean Burraco has been validated exclusively by Fibur, so if you participate in tournaments organised by other federations, this particular type of sequence cannot be used.

Achieving several semi-clean Burraco allows you to significantly reduce the gap between scores and to “dirty” a clean run to close the game. In addition to the clean and semi-clean Burraco there is another type of card sequence that allows you to “lay down” cards: the dirty Burraco.

This particular type of Burraco can be achieved through two different sequences: a run of seven cards of the same suit including one wild card/joker, or a combination of seven or more cards of the same value.