Cassino
A classic fishing card game where players capture cards from the table by matching or adding to card values. Building combinations and sweeping the table are key strategies.
What You'll Need
About This Game
A classic fishing card game where players capture cards from the table by matching or adding to card values. Building combinations and sweeping the table are key strategies.
How to Play
- Deal 4 cards to each player, 4 face-up on table
- On your turn, play one card to: capture, build, or trail
- Capture: take table card(s) matching your card's value
- Capture multiple cards: sum must equal your card
- Build: combine card with table card to create a 'build'
- Call the build's value (e.g., 'building 9')
- Must capture builds on next turn (unless you increase it)
- Trail: place card on table (only if no captures possible)
- Face cards capture only by matching (no combining)
- Sweeping table clean = 1 point (tuck card sideways)
- Scoring: Most cards=3, Most spades=1, Big Casino (10♦)=2, Little Casino (2♠)=1, Aces=1 each
- First to 21 points wins
History & Background
Cassino (spelled with two s's, distinct from "Casino") originated in Italy during the 15th century. It may be one of the oldest card games still played in its original form.
The game spread throughout Europe and was particularly popular in 18th century France and England. It came to America with Italian immigrants and remained popular in Italian-American communities.
Cassino's unique mechanic - capturing cards by matching or combining their values - influenced later games like Scopa (the Italian national card game) and Scopone.
Despite its age, Cassino contains genuine strategic depth. The building mechanic (combining cards to be captured later) and the need to track captured cards elevate it beyond simple matching games. It remains popular among serious card game enthusiasts.