Buracco
Table of Contents
What is Burraco?
Burraco (also spelled Buraco) is a partnership variant of Canasta popular in Italy and South America. Unlike classic Canasta, Burraco allows both runs (sequences of the same suit) and sets (same-rank cards). A meld of seven or more cards is still called a burraco and yields a bonus.
A Brief History of Burraco
The game evolved during the 1940s in Argentina and Brazil as “Buraco” and was imported to Italy in the late 1970s, exploding in popularity during the 1990s thanks to social clubs and online platforms. Many regional federations now host Burraco leagues across Italy.
Objective of Burraco
Work with your partner to:
- reach at least one clean or dirty burraco;
- empty your hand, collect the side-stock (pozzetto), and go out;
- score 2 000 points before your opponents.
The Pack and Card Ranks
Two 52-card decks plus four Jokers (108 cards). Card values:
| Card | Value |
|---|---|
| Joker | 30 pts |
| 2 (Pinella – wild) | 20 pts |
| Ace | 15 pts |
| 8 – K | 10 pts |
| 3 – 7 | 5 pts |
How to Play Burraco: Step-by-Step Rules
- Setup & Deal – Four players form two partnerships. Deal 11 cards to each. Build two face-down pozzetti of 11 cards each beside the stock. Turn the next card face-up to start the discard pile.
- Turn Sequence (clockwise):
- Draw one card from stock or take the entire discard pile (no pick-up restrictions).
- Meld runs (same suit in sequence) or sets; each meld may contain at most one wild card (Joker or 2).
- Discard one card.
- Picking the Pozzetto – When a player empties their hand, they immediately take the top pozzetto stack and continue playing; a team must pick one pozzetto before it can go out.
- Forming Burracos – A meld of seven+ cards earns a bonus:
- Clean (no wild cards) – 200 pts.
- Dirty (contains a wild) – 100 pts.
- Going Out – To end the hand a player must:
- have picked a pozzetto;
- have at least one clean burraco;
- discard a final card (optional). Going out scores 100 pts.
How to Keep Score
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Clean burraco | +200 |
| Dirty burraco | +100 |
| Semi-clean burraco* | +150 |
| Royal (A-A or 7-card suited) | +500 / 1000 (variant) |
| Going out | +100 |
| Card values melded | Add as per “Pack & Ranks” |
| Un-melded cards | Subtract |
| Team failed to take a pozzetto | –100 |
| *Semi-clean = clean run with one 2 of matching suit in its natural position. | |
| Hands continue until one side reaches 2 000 total points (Italian rules) or 3 000/3 050 in some South-American variants. |
Key Differences Between Italian & Brazilian Burraco
| Rule Aspect | Italian Clubs | Brazilian “Buraco” |
|---|---|---|
| Required burraco to go out | Clean burraco mandatory | Any burraco suffices |
| Wild-card limit in meld | 1 per meld | Up to 2 |
| Target score | 2 000 | 3 000 |
| Semi-clean bonus | Yes (150) | Rarely used |
| Extra pozzetto (third pile) | No | Common in 2-player Buraco Aberto |
Additional Tips and Fun Facts
- The word Burraco literally means “hole” in Italian—a nod to the empty hand after you grab the pozzetto.
- Because the discard pile is always “live,” aggressive discarding is risky; consider burying dangerous cards under low-value 3s–7s.
- Online Burraco communities host nightly tournaments; the Italian Bridge Federation officially recognised Burraco in 2016.
Burraco FAQs
Can we play Burraco with two players?
Yes: each plays alone, deals 11 cards, and builds two pozzetti of 11; target score is usually 2 000.
Are Jokers always wild?
Yes, but a clean burraco must have no Jokers or 2s.
May I add to an opponent’s meld?
No; you may only extend your partnership’s melds.
What happens if the stock runs out?
Play continues using only the discard pile; if that empties, the hand ends immediately.
Do Aces wrap around K-A-2?
No; an Ace can be high (…Q K A) or low (A 2 3) but cannot “wrap.”
For more classic card game rules and strategies, explore the rest of our Card Game Rules library.