User guide
This is the user guide of Points Burraco. You will discover all app functions but you can also have a refresh on how to play this game
This guide is only available in English and Italian. If you are able to translate this guide or the app in your language, contact me at marco97pa@gmail.com. I will give you a free upgrade to the PRO version
Contents
- How to play Buraco
- Modes of the app
- Mark points
- Names
- Photos
- Share results on social networks
- Hands detail
- History
- Join a match or invite someone
- In app purchase
- Settings
How to play Buraco
Buraco is a card game for 2 players or pairs. The object is to create flushes of the same suit or groups of 3 or more of the same cards to get more points than your opponents.
The game is very popular in Italy and in Brazil with its different methods, but the most used is the Open Dirty mode
It’s played with 2 French decks with wildcards. The games can be played at 2005 or 3000 points per game.
This guide is based on the Open Dirty mode
Dealing
11 cards are dealt to each player and two groups of 11 cards each are left aside, which are called “stock”. The other cards will become the deck from where the players pick up cards.
Game play
The first player must take one card from the deck, and try to make combinations to place them on the playing area (minimum 3 cards). One can put down as many combinations as desired.
When finishing, the player must mandatorily throw one card of his/her hand and lie it down faced-up in the center of the table (pile).
At the beginning of their turn, each player has the option to take one card from the deck or stay with all the acculmulated cards in the pile to make the combinations (It’s compulsory to take them all from the deck).
As well as making new combinations, you also must incorporate cards into the combinations you already have in play.
Wildcards
The twos and jokers have the function of wildcards and can be used in any combination.
In a combination there can only be one wildcard. There can be 2 twos only if one of them has the function of a wildcard and the other its normal value.
It is possible to replace a joker at stake for the correspondending card. In that case, the joker will be moved in the sequence having another value according to the following conditions:
- If the 2 functioning as a joker has the same suit of the combination and it can replace the 2, it will not function as a joker anymore to take the place of the 2.
- If it is not possible, it will keep on functioning as a joker at the right end of the sequence (where the highest cards are placed).
- If it is not possible, it will keep on functioning as a joker at the left end (with the lowest cards).
- If the sequence is completed (from ace to ace), it is not possible to replace the joker.
The pot
At one side of the table, two piles with 11 cards each are reserved, they are called “stock”. When one of the players has no cards, he/she catches one of the piles of the stock. Each partner can only use one of the stocks in a game.
When the cards of the deck finish, one of the piles of the “stock”, if there are any, will replace the deck.
Canastas
A canasta is formed when a combination of 7 or more cards is made.
Depending on how they are formed, there are different types of canastas:
- Dirty run: It is formed with the help of a joker.
- Clear run: It is formed with no jokers.
- Semi-clean run: It is a combination of 8 cards with the help of a joker
Note: a dirty run can become a clear run when the 2 used as a joker can be moved to the position of the 2. If this is not possible (for example, if a combination has a joker), it can never be a natural canasta.
Close
A player “closes” when he/she has no more cards in his/her hand after catching the stock. To be able to go out and end the game, it is necessary to dispose of one card on the pile.
Value of the plays
The points are scored the following way:
- 3 to 7: 5 points
- 2 (joker): 20 points
- 8 to king: 10 points
- Ace: 15 points
- Joker: 30 points
- Final closing: 100 points
- Dirty run: 100 points
- Clear run: 200 points
- Semi-clean run: 150 points
Also, not picking up the dead card 100 points are taken. The points of the cards that are left in your hand are also taken away.
End
The game ends when a player or pair gets the amount of points necessary to win (usually 2005 or 3000 points)
Modes of the app
From the side menu , you can choose one of the different modes according to the number of players.
There are 2, 3 or 4 players mode.
Mark points
You can insert a value by pressing on a field. Doesn't matter the order you fill the fields: you can proceed your own way. A blank field will be considered as zero
Fields can vary according to the input method chosen, defaults are:- Clean run: input the number of Clean runs, the score will be calculated by the app
- Dirty run: input the number of Dirty runs, the score will be calculated by the app
- Semi clean run: input the number of Semi clean runs, the score will be calculated by the app
- Table points: points of the cards of the player on the table
- Points in hand: points of the cards that are left in your hand that are taken away
- Closes: choose it if the player closed the game
- No pots: choose it if the player didn't pick up the dead cards
After inserting the values, press the circular button : final scores will be calculated by the app. When a player wins, the app will alert you. By default the game ends when a player reaches 2005 points, but you can change this behaviour in Settings
Names
To change player's (or pair's) names touch the name, for example "Player 1". A dialog will be shown to insert the new name
To restore default names, long press on the player's image until the menu is shown and then choose "Restore name" or instead you can open the menu and choose "Restore default players" to restore all
Photos
To change player's (or pair's) profile pics touch add_a_photo and then choose a photo from your Gallery. You can even rotate and resize the photo in the app
To restore default photos, long press on the player's image until the menu is shown and then choose "Restore image" or instead you can open the menu and choose "Restore default players" to restore them all
NOTE: you can disable the photo feature in Settings
Share results on social networks
To share results of your matches with your friends on Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram or other apps just touch
A share window will be shown and you can change the background swiping to left or right. Once you are happy with the result, you can share it as a Facebook story, Instagram story, Whatsapp or using another app
Hands detail
To show an hands' summary (similar to what you usually write on paper), touch receipt on the top right corner
It will be also displayed at the end of a match/p>
Matches' history
From the side menu , you can choose History to show the matches' history
Tapping on a single match, you can see more details, share or delete it
Join a match or invite someone
You can invite nearby players to join your match, so they can see the score on their devices The connection with nearby devices (within 10 metres or 33ft) happens automatically, the app will use a combination of WiFi e Bluetooth to dialog with nearby devices without consuming your data plan
Invite someone to play
In any of the play modes open the menu and choose "Host this match" to consent others to join
This function is exclusive to PRO users
Join an existing match
From the side menu , you can choose Join a match: your device will start searching for nearby matches to join
Connection
When the master and the host are ready, each device will connect itself in a couple of seconds
You can connect even more than two devices
If after 60 seconds the connection fails, you should close the device on each device and try again. If the problem persists you should also restart your devices. In some rare conditions certain combinations of devices, protocols or network conditions can prevent the connection between the devices to work properly
In app purchase
To unlock all the features, remove ads and support development it is possibile to make a single in app purchase. More informations about functionalities and price are available in the according section of the side menu
Settings
To open Settings, choose the according option from the side menu
There are many options:Set win point
Set the points needed to consider a game ended. Default is 2005.
Input method
Choose your preferred input method between:
- Complete (default): Suitable for newcomers, but not the fastest way. Input points in a detailed form, with clean runs, semi-clean runs and dirty runs. You can even use only part of all the fields.
- Smart: Only two fields: base points and table points. Base points are the sum of the runs with the closing, subtracting points in hand (calculated by the user). Table points are the points of cards on the table.
- Simplest: Input points of a single match directly. Only a field is available to input the sum of the points of a player. Suggested for experienced players
Theme
Choose your favourite app theme
Keep screen on
Read the score without any hassle. Could drain battery faster
Images
Enable or disable player profile images
Sounds
If enabled, the app will play a sound when someone wins
Notifications
If you leave the app without ending the game, you will receive a notification to continue the game
Ads
You can choose your ads settings. You can even remove them with an in app purchase
App version
Shows the version number of the app
