How to Play Briškula: Croatia's Beloved Coastal Card Game

If you have ever sat in a Dalmatian café or walked past a group of elderly men playing cards in the shade, you have probably witnessed a game of briškula. This fast-paced trick-taking game is a cornerstone of Croatian social life along the coast, often accompanied by lively banter, strong coffee and the occasional glass of wine. Learning the basics is easier than you might think, and it is a wonderful way to connect with locals.

What You Need

Briškula is played with a special deck of 40 cards, typically Italian-suited or a Croatian variant with traditional suits: swords, batons, cups and coins. The cards rank from highest to lowest: ace, three, king, knight, jack, seven, six, five, four, two. The scoring cards are the ace (worth 11 points), the three (worth 10), the king (worth 4), the knight (worth 3) and the jack (worth 2). Other cards have no point value, but they still matter for winning tricks.

How to Play

The game is usually played by two or four players, but the two-player version is most common for learning. Each player is dealt three cards, and the remaining cards form a stock pile with the top card turned face up to determine the trump suit. The goal is to win tricks and collect the most points from scoring cards.

On your turn, you may play any card. The other player must follow suit if possible. If they cannot, they may play a trump card to win the trick, or discard any other card. The highest card of the leading suit wins the trick, unless a trump is played, in which case the highest trump wins. After each trick, both players draw a card from the stock, starting with the player who won the trick. The game continues until the stock is exhausted, and then the final three tricks are played from the hands.

Scoring and Winning

At the end of the hand, count the points in the tricks you have won. The player with more points wins the hand. In friendly games, the match is often played to a set number of hands, with the overall winner being the one who takes the most points over several rounds. Briškula rewards quick thinking and memory, as tracking which high cards have been played gives you a real advantage.

Cultural Tips

Briškula is more than a game; it is a social ritual. You will often see groups playing in the late afternoon, known as šijavica in some areas, when the heat of the day begins to fade. If you are invited to join, accept with a smile – locals appreciate the effort. Do not be afraid to make mistakes; the point is to enjoy the company. And remember, the pace is lively, and the conversation may be just as important as the cards.

You can buy a deck at almost any newsstand, supermarket or souvenir shop along the coast. Once you know the rules, a simple game of briškula can open doors to friendships and a deeper understanding of Dalmatian culture.