Five-player Briscola
The caller finds a secret partner by naming a card
5 players, 2 against 3 - 40 Bresciane cards
Setup
Deal 8 cards to each player with no face-up trump card There is no draw pile so play until all cards are used
Bidding and calling
Take turns bidding a score from 61 to 120 or passing Each bid must exceed the previous one The highest bidder becomes the caller and chooses a trump suit and a card of that suit they do not hold The player holding that card is the secret partner until they play it
Taking tricks
As in Briscola there is no need to follow suit The highest trump wins or otherwise the highest card of the suit led The winner leads the next trick
Scoring and winning
Ace 11, three 10, king 4, knight 3, jack 2 and all other cards zero The caller and partner win if their captured cards reach the bid Otherwise the other three players win Agree on match points and variants such as calling your own card to play alone before starting
Bresciane
40 cards - Coins, cups, swords and clubs
Ten cards per suit - ace, 2 to 7, jack, knight and king Bergamasche or Trentine cards with the same suits also work