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 variations of the game, a hiliara or pentakosara are only worth their regular biriba points (200 or 100, respectively). Other variations only award the same 200 points for sets of like-numbers (e.g. seven threes). Downplaying points from specific sets changes the game to be more fast-paced, as it encourages players to meld cards quickly rather than rewarding long strategies that require many specific cards. As a result, players "show their hands" earlier, which is the only way to communicate strategies to partners while also forcing opponents to be mindful of the cards they discard. Atout 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 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 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