Basic rules of Escoba de 15 (Fifteen Sweep)

In Escoba de 15 (Fifteen Sweep), you capture cards from the table by combining them with one from your hand to make 15. If that move clears the table, you make an «escoba» (sweep) and earn a point. At the end, you also score for having the most cards, the most oros (coins), the most sevens and the siete de oros (seven of coins).

Card values

The as (ace) is worth 1, cards from 2 to 7 are worth their face value, the sota (jack) is worth 8, the caballo (knight) 9 and the rey (king) 10.

The deal

Deal three cards to each player and place four face up on the table. Once everyone has run out of cards, deal another three to each player.

Scoring

• Each sweep: 1 point.
• Most cards: 1 point.
• Most coins: 1 point.
• The seven of coins (the «velo», or ‘veil’): 1 point.
• Most sevens (or the «setenta», meaning ‘seventy’, depending on the house rules): 1 point.

Play to 15 or 21 points, as agreed.

Getting started

Try not to leave cards on the table that make it easy for your opponent to reach 15. You can practise at our Escoba table or with the tutorial.