How to play Escoba de 15

Escoba de 15 is a card game where you capture cards from the table by adding up to exactly fifteen. Here is how to start.

What you need

A 40-card Spanish deck without eights or nines. Values: ace = 1, cards 2–7 = face value, jack (sota) = 8, knight (caballo) = 9, king = 10.

How to deal

Place four cards face up on the table and deal three to each player. Players take turns playing one card. Deal three more when everyone has played their hand, until the deck is empty.

How to capture cards

These examples show captured cards and cards left on the table.

7 of coins

Your card

+

Jack of cups

4 of cups

On the table

=

15

Seven plus jack equals fifteen. The four remains on the table.

6 of swords

Your card

+

5 of clubs

+

3 of cups

+

Ace of coins

7 of clubs

On the table

=

15

Six plus five, three and one equals fifteen. The seven stays on the table.

Two possible plays

Capture cards if your card plus one or more table cards adds up to exactly fifteen. Otherwise, leave a card face up on the table.

7 de oros

+

Sota de copas (8)

= 15

The examples use the original Escobita cards.

6 de espadas

+

5 de bastos

3 de copas

As de oros (1)

= 15

What is an escoba?

You make an escoba when a valid capture clears the entire table. Each escoba usually scores one point. Local rules may differ.

5 de copas

+

Rey de bastos (10)

= 15 🧹

How points are scored

In a common variant, one point is awarded for each category:

• Most cards captured.
• Most cards in the coins suit.
• Capture the seven of coins.
• Most sevens captured.
• One point per escoba.

Tiebreakers and scoring can vary by region. Agree on the variant and target score before playing.

What happens to cards left on the table?

At the end, cards left on the table usually go to the player who made the last capture. Then score the round.