# Chkobba.gg — Complete Information > Play Chkobba online free — the classic Tunisian card game with AI opponents, real-time multiplayer, and ELO rankings. No download needed. Website: https://chkobba.gg Category: Online Card Game Languages: English, French, Arabic Price: Free Platform: Web (any browser), Android (TWA) --- ## What is Chkobba? Chkobba (also spelled Chkoba, Shkobba, or Chkouba — Arabic: شكبة) is a traditional Tunisian card game that has been a cornerstone of North African culture for centuries. It is Tunisia's national card game, played in cafés, homes, and now online. The game is closely related to the Italian card game Scopa (meaning "sweep" in Italian) but has evolved its own distinct rules and cultural identity. The name "Chkobba" comes from the Arabic word meaning "a sweep" or "a hit" — referring to the thrilling moment when a player clears all cards from the table. Chkobba.gg is the world's premier platform for playing Chkobba online for free — against AI bots or real players worldwide. --- ## How to Play Chkobba — Complete Rules ### The Deck Chkobba uses a 40-card deck — a standard French-suited deck with all 8s, 9s, and 10s removed. The four suits are Hearts (♥), Diamonds (♦, called Dīnārī), Clubs (♣), and Spades (♠). Traditionally, the game was played with Napoletane (Italian-suited) cards featuring Coins, Cups, Swords, and Clubs. ### Card Values Each card has a numeric value used for capturing: - Ace (As) = 1 - 2 through 7 = Face Value - Jack (Kawal) = 8 - Queen (Mougiera) = 9 - King (Roi) = 10 ### Gameplay — Step by Step Chkobba is played between two players (or two teams of two in 2v2 mode): 1. Deal the cards: Each player receives 3 cards, and 4 cards are placed face-up on the table. 2. Play a card: On your turn, play one card from your hand onto the table. 3. Capture cards: If your card matches the value of a single table card — or the sum of multiple table cards — you capture all matching cards and add them to your score pile. 4. No match: If you can't capture anything, your card stays on the table. 5. New deal: When both players have played all 3 cards, deal 3 more to each (no new table cards). Continue until the deck is used. 6. End of round: When the deck is empty and all hands are played, the last player to capture takes remaining table cards. Capture priority: If your card can capture a single card directly, you must capture that single card rather than a combination that adds up to the same value. ### What is a Chkobba? (The Sweep) A Chkobba occurs when you capture ALL cards from the table in a single move, leaving it completely empty. This is worth a bonus point. In Tunisian cafés, players shout "CHKOBBAAA!" when they clear the table. Important rule: The dealer cannot score a Chkobba with the very last card of the round. ### Scoring — How Points Work At the end of each round, points are awarded in five categories: 1. Carta (Most Cards) — 1 point: Player who captured the most cards total 2. Dīnārī (Most Diamonds) — 1 point: Player who captured the most diamond (♦) cards 3. Sab'a l-Ḥayya (Seven of Diamonds) — 1 point: Player who captured the 7♦ 4. Barmīla (Most Sevens) — 1 point: Player who captured the most 7s (if tied, most 6s break the tie) 5. Chkobba (Table Sweep) — 1 point each: Each time you cleared the entire table during the round ### How to Win The game continues over multiple rounds until one player reaches the target score (typically 11, 21, or 31 points) with a 2-point lead over their opponent. --- ## Chkobba vs Scopa — Key Differences Chkobba and Scopa are related card games. Scopa is Italian while Chkobba is the Tunisian version. | Feature | Chkobba (Tunisia) | Scopa (Italy) | |---------|-------------------|---------------| | Card Values | Jack=8, Queen=9, King=10 | Different face card values | | Seven Bonus | Barmīla (most 7s) | Primiera (complex prime value) | | Win Condition | Must have 2-point lead | Fixed target score | | Dealer Rule | Cannot Chkobba on last card | No such restriction | | Capture Priority | Single-card captures prioritized | Varies by region | --- ## Strategy Tips - Prioritize the 7♦ (Sab'a l-Ḥayya) — it's a guaranteed point - Count the 7s — Barmīla is a contested point - Aim for Chkobbas — try to leave just one card on the table - Don't give away diamonds — the Dīnārī point matters - Count total cards captured — Carta goes to whoever has the most - Watch your opponent — they might be setting up a Chkobba --- ## History and Cultural Significance Chkobba traces its roots to the Mediterranean trading routes connecting Italy, Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. Derived from the Italian Scopa, it evolved its own distinct identity in Tunisia. Today it is considered Tunisia's national card game, played in traditional cafés (qahwa) across Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, and every corner of the country. The game has also spread to Tunisian diaspora communities in France, Canada, Germany, and beyond. In Tunisian culture, Chkobba is far more than a card game — it's a social ritual. Families play after meals during Ramadan, friends gather for marathon sessions at cafés, and neighborhoods organize informal tournaments. The game bridges generations, with grandparents teaching grandchildren the art of strategic play. ### Tunisian Café Culture Vocabulary - Racham (رشّام) — The neutral scorekeeper who records points and settles disputes - Tannbir (التنبير) — The art of sneaky audience commentary (spectators whispering hints) - El Ghaffas (الغفّاص) — The sore loser who cannot handle defeat - Qahouaji (قهواجي) — The café waiter who witnesses every dramatic moment - Ymachki (يمشكي) — To shuffle the deck thoroughly before a new round - Y9os (يقص) — To cut the deck (a ritual before every deal) - Yejri (يجري) — To deal the cards (the moment that starts the action) ### Famous Expressions - "CHKOBBAAA!" — Shouted when sweeping the entire table - "Sab'a l-7ayya!" — Called when capturing the precious 7♦ - "Wesh hadi?!" — "What is this?!" when the opponent makes a surprising play - "Yaser ya 3ammi!" — Hyping yourself up when dominating the game - "Rabbi ybarek!" — A prayer of thanks upon winning - "Rak tel'ab bel 7adh ken!" — "You're just playing with luck!" (trash talk) --- ## Where is Chkobba Played? - Tunisia — The national card game, played universally - Libya — Known as "Shkobba", very popular in Tripoli and Benghazi - Algeria — Played in eastern regions near the Tunisian border - France — Large Tunisian diaspora communities keep the tradition alive - Italy — The ancestral home of Scopa, Chkobba's Italian cousin - Morocco — Growing popularity as "Chkoba" - Worldwide — Tunisian expats in Canada, Germany, UK, Gulf states, and beyond --- ## Platform Features ### Solo Play - Three AI difficulty levels: Easy, Medium, Hard - The hardest bot counts cards and plans ahead - Perfect for learning and practicing ### Online Multiplayer - 1v1 and 2v2 team modes - Create private rooms or join public games - Quick Match instant matchmaking - Real-time gameplay via WebSocket ### Rankings & Stats - ELO-based global ranking system - Detailed player statistics - Public leaderboard - Achievement system ### Social Features - In-game chat with emoji reactions - Friends list - Player profiles with stats ### Technical - Progressive Web App (PWA) — installable, works offline - Android app via Trusted Web Activity (TWA) - No download required for web play - Responsive design for all screen sizes - Beautiful Napoletane-inspired card art --- ## Frequently Asked Questions Q: What is Chkobba? A: Chkobba (also spelled Chkoba or Shkobba) is a traditional Tunisian card game similar to the Italian Scopa. It is played with a 40-card deck and involves capturing cards from the table by matching values. The game is deeply rooted in Tunisian culture and is one of the most popular card games in North Africa. Q: How do you play Chkobba? A: Each player is dealt 3 cards, and 4 cards are placed face-up on the table. On your turn, play a card from your hand. If it matches a table card's value — or the sum of multiple cards — you capture them. If no match, your card stays on the table. Scoring: most cards (Carta), most diamonds (Dīnārī), the 7♦ (Sab'a l-ḥayya), most 7s (Barmīla), and bonus points for each Chkobba. Q: What is a Chkobba? A: A Chkobba occurs when you capture ALL cards from the table in a single move, clearing it completely. Each Chkobba earns a bonus point. The dealer cannot score a Chkobba with the very last card of the round. Q: Can I play Chkobba online for free? A: Yes! Chkobba.gg offers a completely free online Chkobba experience. Play solo against AI bots at three difficulty levels, or play online multiplayer with friends or random opponents. No downloads required — play directly in your browser. Q: What is the difference between Chkobba and Scopa? A: Chkobba is the Tunisian version of the Italian game Scopa. Key differences: Chkobba uses Jack=8, Queen=9, King=10; has Barmīla (most 7s) instead of Primiera; requires a 2-point lead to win; and the dealer cannot Chkobba on the last card. Q: What are the card values in Chkobba? A: Ace=1, cards 2-7=face value, Jack=8, Queen=9, King=10. The deck has 40 cards — a standard French deck with 8s, 9s, and 10s removed. --- ## Contact & Links - Website: https://chkobba.gg - Play Now: https://chkobba.gg/play - Rules: https://chkobba.gg/rules - About: https://chkobba.gg/about - Leaderboard: https://chkobba.gg/leaderboard