Biriba (Greek: Μπιρίμπα) is the Greek partnership version of a rummy card game of Italian origin called Pinnacola. The Greek name comes probably from the Italian game Biribara, or Biribisso, or Biribi, even if this game is totally different (more similar to the roulette).

1. Biriba Game
2. Biriba Game
3. Biriba Game Online
4. Biriba Play
5. Biriba Card Game App

Buraco is a Rummy-type card game in the Canasta family for four players in fixed partnerships in which the aim is to lay down combinations in groups of cards of equal rank and suit sequences, there being a bonus for combinations of seven cards or more. A similar game Burako is played in Argentina using tiles instead of cards, and since the 1990's a variation Burraco has become extremely popular in Italy. Several versions of Buraco are played in Brazil, where the game is also known as Canastra, Biriba or Perida. All games are intended for adult users and do not offer real money or an opportunity to win real money or prizes. Practice or success at social gaming does not imply future success at real money gambling.

Καλωσήρθατε/Welcome[edit]

MAJOR editing is required. I only started the article but if anyone else comes across it we can expand on it too :)--magikthrill 18:17, 9 August 2006 (UTC)

Verification of Rules[edit]

Some rules differ from when I play, and as this article cites no sources, it would be good to verify the accuracy of the article.

Sources would be great if anyone can help out with them. I'm not sure that there is an official handbook for the game and any websites are just as accurate as this article (ie very little). I personally used to play the game differently in the past as well (in terms of cards being dealt) but I am using the rules by which the game is played by most Greek university students.--magikthrill 13:05, 28 September 2006 (UTC)

I've seen a lot of games of Biriba, but I've never seen one where the points awarded for a run (seven sequential cards of the same suit) are higher than the points awarded for a seven-card set (seven threes, for example). Logically, because there are only eight of each card in the two decks, sets are much harder to complete, and should be scored higher. The typical scoring I've seen is 100 for a dirty run, 200 for a clean run, 150 for a dirty set, 300 for a clean set. That makes a lost more sense just from a sheer probability standpoint. --[[User:plezercruz] 14:49, 3 April 2010 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.1.235.111 (talk)

Wrong spelling[edit]

It should be spelled Birimba, like it is pronounced, and not Biriba.Yangula (talk) 06:47, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

It is more correct to say that there are at least two ways of spelling and pronouncing the name of the game. Graeham Smith (talk) 11:51, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

how do you win this game?[edit]

The main description of this game never comes to a conclusion which clearly describes how one wins this game! Winning is only mentioned for the versions described towards the end of the page. Maybe someone in the know could rectify this strange situation.Cricobr (talk) 15:39, 28 December 2009 (UTC)

The answer to the above question is now included under the heading 'Basics' i.e. 'The objective of the game is to be the first player or team to surpass a pre-determined point total (commonly 2500 or 3000, based on the number of players.)' Graeham Smith (talk) 11:39, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Origins of the game[edit]

The connections between Biriba and the suggested Italian origin of the game are relatively few and weak unlike the similarities between Biriba and Canasta which are many and strong. The inventor of Canasta might have been inspired by Biriba but it seems more likely that former Greek emigrants returning to their home Country, brought their version of Canasta with them from either South America or more likely, North America or Canada. Graeham Smith (talk) 11:31, 18 January 2011 (UTC)

Disambiguation[edit]

'Biriba' is also a tropical fruit tree. See Rollinia deliciosa and http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biribaChris Dolan (talk) 17:06, 4 January 2012 (UTC)

Merge request[edit]

After searching, the rules are very similar to Buraco, which is in the Canasta family. The rules are similar, so, how about merging them? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 78.87.218.142 (talk) 20:36, 11 October 2015 (UTC)

Biriba (Greek: Μπιρίμπα) is the Greek partnership version of a rummy card game of Italian origin called Pinnacola.The Greek name comes probably from the Italian game Biribara, or Biribisso, or Biribi, even if this game is totally different (more similar to the roulette).^[1] It is played by two to six players, with two decks and 4 Jokers comprising 108 cards. If 6 players play, one more deck and two jokers more are added. Biriba can also be played by three players with or without partnership rules.

Basics[edit]

While there are many variations of Biriba, the basic rules and objective are the same. The player to the right of the dealer shuffles the cards and his partner cuts the deck (the starting dealer is selected by a random draw, the lowest card winning the privilege to receive cards and play first.) Eleven cards are dealt to each player while two other sets of 11 cards are also dealt by one of the opponents and put face down to the side. These cards (two secondary 11-card hands) are called Paketa ('packages' or 'parcels') or Biribakia (Greek for 'small Biribas'.) The objective of the game is to be the first player or team to surpass a pre-determined point total (commonly 2,500 or 3,000, based on the number of players.) Points are tabulated at the end of each round of play from the tableau played by each player/team.

Play proceeds counter-clockwise; each player begins their turn by either drawing one single card from the deck, or collecting all of the cards in the discard pile. After drawing, the player may lay cards down in sets of at least three (either suited runs or groups of like-numbered cards.) Jokers and 2s (known as 'balladaires') are wild and may substitute for any card in such a set, and even be repositioned within that set. For instance, a player may lay down the four, five, and seven of hearts, with the two of clubs substituting for the six of hearts. If the player later draws the six of hearts, she may lay it in its correct position and move the two of clubs into the position of the three or the eight. Each set (except for sets composed entirely of twos) may only contain one wild card, whether joker or deuce, although an in-suit two in its natural position does not count as wild or dirty. Once played, sets may not be connected or withdrawn back to the hand, and individual cards may not be removed from the table (therefore, any group dirtied with a joker or a non-suited two can never become clean.) The players complete their turns by placing one card from their hand into the discard pile (players can take no action and play no cards when it is not their turn.)

When a player has melded all of the cards from his or her initial hand he then receives the top-most Paketo. If the player did not have to discard to empty their hand, they may continue play with their new cards; otherwise, their turn is complete and they must wait. The next goal is to 'close' the round by emptying their second hand. The player who ends the round receives an additional 100 points. However the player must meet three conditions to close out: the player must have played at least one valid biriba, they must be able to discard a card, and if their hand is reduced to one card and the discard pile contains only one card they may not draw that card, connect either the new or held card, and discard. Points are calculated at the end of each round, and if no player or team has won another round is played with dealership and right-to-receive passed to the left. No information (other than score) is retained between rounds; new hands are dealt and a new atout is determined.

Sets[edit]

Below are the following sets in Biriba. Sets are either arranged the way a straight flush is arranged in Poker or by using the same numbers or face cards.

Biriba: a group containing at least seven cards. If the set is consecutive suited cards then it is worth 200 points if there are no jokers (kathari, which is Greek for 'clean', also Gnisia (pure) and Parthena (virgin)) are worth 100 points if there is a joker or a wild two (vromiki, (dirty) or bastardemeni (bastard)). If the set is of like-numbers (seven threes, for instance,) then the Biriba is worth 300 points. However, if a joker or wild two are used in the meld then the value of the Biriba is halved, i.e. 150 points.

Hiliara: A hiliara (Greek for 'thousand') consists of every suited consecutive card from Ace to King (or Ace to Two if the Ace is placed after the King). This set is worth 1,000 points. However, if it is dirtied then it is considered a Pentakosara (Greek for 'five hundred') and it is worth 500 points. (see Venezuelan Version at the end of the Greek directions)

Set Variations: In some parts of Cyprus a dirtied hiliara (pentakosara) biriba is not worth anything more than 100 (instead of 500) even though the statistical possibility of getting a pentakosara is very low meaning it should be worth more than 100. This variation together with others that downplay points from specific game sets makes the game more luck oriented instead of strategy oriented.

Atout[edit]

The suit of the first revealed card becomes the 'atout' suit (in case of a joker, the receiving player may choose a suit or declare no-trump.) A clean biriba is formed with this suit is worth 600 points rather than 200; a dirty atout biriba is halved to 300 points. This presents a focus both for aggressive and defensive play; atout cards (especially the middle cards, 7 through 10,) are rarely voluntarily discarded, and all atout cards are guarded if an opponent is suspected of collecting them or nearing completion of a biriba. The rare hiliara biriba is still 1000 points (no extra points).

Vulnerability[edit]

If a player or team starts a round past a certain points threshold they may not lay down cards until the total of the first play surpasses a certain points value: for a score between 1000 - 1499 the played sets must be worth at least 75 points, and between 1500 - 2999 points the restriction is raised to 90 points.

Card values[edit]

After all the points from the sets are added (or subtracted if necessary), the points of each individual cards are added to the total score. Each card is assigned a numerical point as follows.

Joker: 20
A: 15
K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8 and 2: 10
7, 6, 5, 4, 3: 5

Suits have no effect on the point value of each card.

Note: Biriba has so many variations that even the point system varies by a factor of 10. Below the non-decimal points are used as they are deemed more convenient. See below.

Bonus and Penalty points[edit]

If a player manages to discard his paketo then the round ends and he gets a bonus of 100 points. Everyone else is penalized by adding the points of the cards they have in hands. If a player has not progressed to the biribakia, being still in the first hand, he is penalized another 100 points (in the case that the round ends after a player has acquired a Biribaki, but before he or she has had a chance to play the hand, the total penalty is 100 points for the un-played hand, regardless of the point totals of the cards contained within). If the players run out of cards all points must be tallied. If either player has not received their respective biribakia, each player is penalized 100 points. The last player is the one to pick up the final card from the deck.

Variations[edit]

Three-handed Biriba[edit]

The game is the same as for four players, with the following differences:

• The first biribaki consists of 18 cards, the second of 11.
• The one who 'closes' first, and takes the first biribaki, has the other two players as a team against him for the hand. The two other players share equally their points.

Six-handed Biriba[edit]

• The game is the same as for four players, three teams partners sitting opposite.

Venezuelan version of Biriba[edit]

Object: Be the first to earn 2500 points

Base Points:

Card Value Points:

Joker 50 pointsWild 2's 25 pointsA's 20 points8-K 10 points3-7 5 points

A Biriba is a group of at least 7 cards consisting of:
Runs - must be of the same suit - A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A.Sets – same value card (all 3's; all 4's; all 5's... all J's; all Q's; all K's; all A's).Wild Card Biriba – consists of Jokers and Wild 2's.If a wild card is added to a clean Biriba, the value of the Biriba drops to that of a dirty Biriba.

Non-partnership Game (2-3 Players)

The Deal:

1. To determine the first dealer, the players take turns cutting the deck. The player to cut at the highest-ranking card (excluding Wild's and 2's) is the first dealer.

2. The dealer cuts from the bottom of the deck, attempting to cut from the bottom the exact number of cards that equals 11 cards per player, plus the one card which is placed face up next to the draw deck. The dealer hands this portion of the deck to the player to his left.

3. The dealer turns over the remaining top portion of the deck and looks only at the bottom three cards, being careful not to reveal the fourth card from the bottom. If any of the three cards is a Joker or Wild 2, the dealer gets the card(s). The dealer continues to check the cards at the bottom of the pile until the three cards at the bottom of the deck are not Jokers or Wild 2's. Any Jokers and/or Wild 2's found in this process become part of the dealer's first hand of a total of 11 cards.

4. The player to whom the dealer handed the cards then deals the first hand of cards for the round. If the dealer cut exactly, the dealer gets 100 points; if the dealer is + or – one card, the dealer gets 50 points. If the dealer found any Jokers or Wild 2's at the bottom of the deck, these are counted as part of his/her first hand of a total of 11 cards. (Example: If three players and the dealer found two Jokers/Wild 2's in the bottom three cards, the deal of the first hand of 11 cards consists of 11 cards each for the two non-dealers and 9 cards for the dealer. If the cut from the bottom of the original deck was exactly 11+11+9+1, or 32 cards, then the dealer gets 100 base points; if either 31 or 33 cards, the dealer was off one card and gets 50 base points.).

5. The dealer then deals the Biriba piles (cards used for the second hand of cards for the round) consisting of 11 cards for each player. These cards are set aside for use after the first round of cards.

The Play:

The first hand of the round:

1. The third player (or the dealer, if only two players) makes the first play.a. The player may choose to pick up the entire pile of face up cards or choose one card from the face down remaining cardsb. The player must discard one card2. Going clockwise, each player takes a turn3. The goal of the first hand is to be able to use every card in the player's handa. Groups of at least 3 cards (the base for any Biriba, or group of 7 or more cards)b. Groups of cards may include no more than one wild/2 cardc. If a group of wild cards are played, then the player may not use a wild card in any group of cards until the Wild Card Biriba is complete4. If the player is able to lay down all cards except one, the one remaining card becomes the discard, and the player's turn is over.5. If the player is able to lay down all cards on the table (with no discard), the player picks up his/her Biriba pile and continues the Biriba hand.6. Once a card is no longer touching a player's physical fingers or hand, that card is considered played, and may not be retrieved.

The Biriba hand:

1. The player picks up the Biriba pile2. If the player did not have a discard when laying down the first round of cards, the player continues to play until he/she discards3. The round ends when a player:a. Has used all cards and goes out with or without a discardb. Has at least one Biriba (completed group of 7 or more cards)4. The points for each player are tallied, with the points in hand counted against the player(s) who did not end the round. The point tally includes the base points, and the card value points.

The next round(s):

1. The player to the left of the dealer, then becomes the dealer and cuts the cards2. The game continues until a player has 2500 points at the end of a round3. If two or more players have at least 2500 points at the end of a round, the player with the highest total score is the winner.

Biriba Game

Partners Game (4 Players)

Partners1. The players chose partners; Team A and Team B2. The partners sit opposite each other such that turns are taken by alternating team members

The Deal:

1. To determine the first dealer, the players take turns cutting the deck. The player to cut with the highest card (excluding Wild's and 2's) is the first dealer.

2. The dealer cuts from the bottom of the deck, attempting to cut from the bottom the exact number of cards that equals 11 cards per player, plus one card which is placed face up next to the draw deck.

Biriba Game

3. The dealer hands those cards to the player on his/her left. That player then deals the first hand of cards for the round. If the dealer cut exactly, the dealer gets 100 points for his/her team; if the dealer is + or – one card, the dealer gets 50 points for his/her team.

4. The dealer then deals the Biriba piles (cards used for the second hand of cards for the round) consisting of 2 piles of 11 cards. These cards are set aside for use after the first round of cards.

The Play:

The first hand of the round:

1. The third player makes the first play.2. Play continues the same as for a 2-3 player game, until one member of the team lays down his/her first hand

The Biriba hand:

1. The player picks up the Biriba pile2. If the player did not have a discard when laying down the first round of cards, the player continues to play until he/she discards3. When it is the turn of the team member of the player who has laid down his/her first round of cards the player:a. Plays as if the first round of cards laid on the table are his/her and adds to those cards to assist in completed a Biriba, and lays down as many other cards that can be used4. The round is over when a player on a team:a. Has used all cards and goes out with or without a discardb. The team has at least one Biriba (completed group of 7 or more cards)5. The points for each player are tallied, with the points in hand counted against the player(s) who did not end the round.

The next round(s):

1. The player to the left of the dealer, then becomes the dealer and cuts the cards2. The game continues until a player has 2500 points at the end of a round3. If two or more players have at least 2500 points at the end of a round, the player with the highest total score is the winner

See also[edit]

References[edit]

Biriba Game Online

1. ^New pronouncing and explanatory English-Italian and Italian-English dictionary pg. 104, John Millhouse, Ferdinando Bracciforti

Biriba Play

External links[edit]

Biriba Card Game App