A simple guide to playing twelve classic Sicilian card games.

This book gives very clear instructions for twelve Sicilian card games, with photographic illustrations.  It is the only book of Sicilian card games in print worldwide.

Sicily has its own unique deck of playing cards, and lots of games exclusive to the island.  Card games are an indispensable part of the festivities at Christmas, Easter and other family gatherings.

Many games are simple enough to be enjoyed by young children as well as older players.  They are hilarious, but a great way to make children practise mental arithmetic without realising it.

Other games are more complex and quite challenging.  Most village squares have a full-time squadron of old men who play complex card games – often placing large bets – to pass the time.  They shout loud enough to startle the dead and smack their winning cards down like a butcher hacking through bones with a meat cleaver.

The games in the book are: Buona sera Signorina, Cavalli, Cu cu!, Camicia, Asino, Sette e Mezzo, Trentuno, Centocinque, Brìscula, Tresette, Terziglio, Scopa. The book includes an interesting explanation of the origins of Sicilian playing cards.

AMAZON REVIEW
“This book rocks! The instructions are clear and detailed — it’s easy to get a game up and running. I’ve taken this on trips with me, along with a deck of cards I got on Amazon. It’s a great way to have fun with a group, especially one with a mix of kids and adults. Perfect travel size, too. Not only are the games fun to play — the book itself is fun to read. The instructions are entertaining and there are pages on the history of the cards and the cultural context in which they are played, rendered in a light, vivid style.”

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