Instructions Sheepshead

Objective of the Game

Sheepshead is a traditional Bavarian card game played with four players. The objective varies depending on the game variant (Solo, Wedding, etc.), but generally, it involves collecting a specified number of points, either as a solo player or as part of a team.

Setup and Cards

The game is played using a deck of 32 cards, also known as a Skat deck. It includes the cards of four suits: Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Bells. Each suit contains Ace (Deuce), King, Ober (Queen), Unter (Jack), Ten, Nine, Eight, and Seven. The point value of the cards is: - Ace: 11 points - Ten: 10 points - King: 4 points - Ober: 3 points - Unter: 2 points - Nine, Eight, Seven: 0 points

Basic Rules

Gameplay

1. Dealing Cards: After shuffling by a participant, the player to the dealer’s left receives the cards, usually four times two cards at a time, so each player ends up with eight cards.

2. Determine Game Type: Players decide covertly who's announcing the game. Possible games are: Solo (one player plays against the other three) and Wenz (only the Jacks are trumps). The player who wants to leads.

3. Ramsch: If nobody bids, a Ramsch is played – each player plays for themselves, no trumps.

4. Game Announcement: Starting with the dealer, each player can announce a game or pass (move to the next higher bid, e.g., from call game to solo).

5. Suits and Trump Order: The trump suit in the normal case is Hearts including all Obers and Unters. In Wenz, only the Unters are trumps. In Solo, the player announcing decides the trumps, generally, it's Hearts. Obers are stronger trumps than Unters.

6. Game Rounds: Clockwise, each player lays a card. The winner of the trick is the one who plays the highest card in the played suit or the highest trump.

End of Game and Scoring

• Points Calculation: After each game, points are summed. To win, the solo team must score more than half the points (more than 60 out of 120).
• Game Points: Counted for won games according to various scales (e.g., determining winner in the end).

Strategic Aspects

• Tactical Game Choice: Know your hand strengths and choose your game accordingly. With many high trumps, a solo is effective.
• Foreseeing Tricks: Keep track of the cards already played and attempt to gauge the cards remaining in opponents' hands.

Sheepshead is a game characterized by its tactical depth and becomes particularly exciting when played with experienced players.