During the Christmas festivities in Abruzzo, when families gather around laden tables, sharing food is just one of the elements that make these occasions special.
Beyond the pleasure of dining together, another beloved ritual takes center stage: entertainment through engaging card games.
In the picturesque region of Abruzzo, Neapolitan cards become the magical artifacts of timeless games.
Neapolitan cards, with their four suits – Bastoni (Clubs), Spade (Swords), Denari (Money), and Coppe (Cups) – become the pulsating heart of Christmas celebrations, featuring games like Sette e Mezzo (Seven and half), Otto (Eight), Nove (Nine), Cucù (Peekaboo), Stop, Asinuccio (Little donkey), Banco (Counter) and many others.
A particularly popular game during the holidays is Mercante in Fiera (“The Merchant at the Fair”), which is played with cards depicting various items or characters.
These games combine cleverness, attention, and tremendous fun, appealing to both young and old alike.
But I would like to shift my focus to a truly unique Abruzzo characteristic: the Abruzzo version of Neapolitan cards.
This kind of cards is truly special, as it replaces the classic suits with traditional local abruzzese foods.
For example, Ventricina (a type of salami) takes the place of Coppe (Cups), Scrippelle (traditional Abruzzo Christmas dessert) replace Bastoni (Clubs), Arrosticini (grilled skewers of meat) stand in for Spade (Swords), and Pizzelle (delicious waffles) represent Denari (Money).
However, the heart of Christmas merriment in Abruzzo lies in Tombola, a game rooted in Naples but embraced throughout the entire peninsula.
Similar to American Bingo, Tombola stands out for its social and familial dimension.
With ninety numbers and cards featuring three grids, each game offers various winning possibilities: Ambo, Terno, Quaterna, Cinquina, and the mythical Tombola.
The ‘tomboliere,’ the one who draws the numbers, guides the game, while players strive to cover their numbers on the card.
Achieving Ambo, Terno, Quaterna, or Cinquina brings joy to the winners, but the true excitement lies in reaching Tombola by covering all fifteen numbers on the card before anyone else.
The climax is the enthusiastic cry of “TOMBOLA!” marking the victory of the main prize.
In some cases, there is even a consolation prize, called ‘tombolino,’ for the second person who covers all the numbers on their card.
At Christmas in Abruzzo, cards, Tombola, and traditional games become a special bond among friends and family.
These games are more than mere pastimes; they are catalysts for laughter, friendly competition, and, above all, human connection.
In an atmosphere where the magic of the season blends with tradition, card games and playful activities become a tangible way to celebrate unity and the joy of being together.
Whether you’re betting a few euros or playing just for fun, the magic of Christmas games in Abruzzo is an experience not to be missed during the holidays.
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