Skat: The National Card Game of Germany
Skat is a card game for three players that originated in the early 19th century in Thuringia, Germany. It is considered as Germany's national card game and one of the most popular card games in German-speaking Europe. Skat is a game of skill and strategy that combines elements of Schafkopf, Tarot, and L'Hombre. It is played with a 32-card deck and involves bidding, choosing a game type, playing tricks, and scoring points. In this article, we will explore the history, rules, and tips of this fascinating game.
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Introduction
Skat is a game for three players, but usually four participate, with each player sitting out a turn as dealer. The dealer shuffles and then the player to their right cuts the deck. The dealer deals 3 cards to each player, 2 cards to the center (this is the skat), then 4 cards to each player. If the dealer is the fourth player, they deal to each other player and sit out.
The skat is a set of two cards that can be used by the player who wins the bidding or auction. The bidding is a process of determining who will be the declarer, that is, the player who will play against the other two players (the defenders). The declarer also chooses the game type and the trump suit, which affect the value of the cards and the points scored.
The game type can be one of three options: suit, grand, or null. In suit games, one of the four suits is chosen as trump, and the four jacks are always the highest trumps. In grand games, only the four jacks are trumps. In null games, there are no trumps and no card points, and the declarer's aim is to lose all tricks.
The game value is calculated by multiplying the base value of the game type by various factors, such as matadors (the number of consecutive top trumps held or missing), hand (whether the skat was used or not), schneider (whether one side took at least 90 points), schwarz (whether one side took all tricks), ouvert (whether the declarer's cards were exposed), etc.
The declarer's goal is to take at least 61 points in tricks (or more depending on the bid) in suit or grand games, or to lose all tricks in null games. The defenders' goal is to prevent that. Each trick consists of three cards, one played by each player in clockwise order. The first player can play any card, and then each player must follow suit if possible. If not, they can play any card. The trick is won by the highest trump card played, or if no trump was played, by the highest card of the suit led.
At the end of the game, the points are counted and scored. The declarer wins if they fulfill their contract (i.e., take enough points or lose all tricks), and loses otherwise. The score is calculated by multiplying the game value by a positive or negative factor depending on whether the declarer won or lost. The score is added to or subtracted from the declarer's cumulative score, while the defenders' scores remain unchanged.
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History of Skat
The early history of Skat is not fully documented, but it is generally agreed that it was derived from older card games such as Schafkopf, Tarot, and L'Hombre. The name Skat comes from the Italian word scarto, meaning "discard", which refers to the two cards set aside at the beginning of each round. The first book on Skat rules was published in 1848 by J.F.L. Hempel, one of the game's inventors. Skat became popular across Germany and other parts of Europe, especially among students and intellectuals. Skat was also introduced to the United States by German immigrants, where it was known as Scat or American Skat. However, it never gained the same popularity as in its homeland. Skat rules have changed over time, with different variants and regional preferences emerging. The first attempt to standardize the rules was made by a congress of Skat players in Altenburg in 1886. Since then, several official revisions have been made, the most recent being in 1999. Today, Skat is governed by the International Skat Players Association (ISPA), which organizes tournaments and championships around the world.
Skat Rules and Tips
Skat is a complex and challenging game that requires a lot of practice and skill to master. Here are some basic rules and tips to help you get started.
How to deal and bid in Skat
The dealer shuffles the cards and the player to their right cuts the deck. The dealer then deals 10 cards to each player in batches of 3-4-3, leaving two cards face down on the table as the skat. The dealer sits out for this round and the player to their left is the forehand, who starts the bidding. The bidding is a process of determining who will be the declarer, i.e., the player who will play alone against the other two players (the defenders). The declarer also gets to pick up the skat and choose the game type and the trump suit.
The bidding is done by announcing numbers that represent the minimum game value that the player is willing to play for. The game value depends on several factors, such as the game type, the trump suit, the number of top trumps held or missing (matadors), and whether certain conditions are met (such as taking all tricks or playing with an open hand). The lowest possible bid is 18, which corresponds to a suit game with clubs as trumps and one matador.
The bidding starts with the forehand and the middlehand (the player to their left). The middlehand either passes or makes a bid, such as 18. The forehand either passes or accepts the bid by saying "yes". If the forehand accepts, the middlehand can either pass or raise the bid by announcing a higher number, such as 20. The forehand can then either pass or accept again, and so on. The bidding ends when one of them passes.
The winner of this first bidding phase then competes with the rearhand (the player to their left) in a similar way. The rearhand can either pass or make a bid that is higher than or equal to the previous bid. The winner of this second bidding phase becomes the declarer and picks up the skat.
How to choose the game type and the trump suit
The declarer can choose from three game types: suit, grand, or null. In suit games, one of the four suits is chosen as trump, and all four jacks are also trumps, ranking above the ace of trumps. The order of trumps is: jack of clubs, jack of spades, jack of hearts, jack of diamonds, ace, 10, king, queen, 9, 8, 7 of trumps. The order of non-trump suits is: ace, 10, king, queen, 9, 8, 7. The base value of a suit game is 9 for clubs, 10 for spades, 11 for hearts, and 12 for diamonds.
In grand games, only the four jacks are trumps, ranking in the same order as above. The order of non-trump suits is: ace, 10, king, queen, 9, 8, 7. The base value of a grand game is 24. In null games, there are no trumps and no card points. The order of suits is: ace, king, queen, jack, 10, 9, 8, 7. The declarer's goal is to lose all tricks. The base value of a null game is 23, or 35 if played with an open hand (ouvert). The declarer can also choose to play a hand game, which means not using the skat and increasing the game value by one factor. The declarer can also announce schneider (taking at least 90 points), schwarz (taking all tricks), or ouvert (exposing their hand) before the first trick, which also increase the game value by one factor each. The game value is calculated by multiplying the base value by the number of matadors (the number of consecutive top trumps held or missing) plus one, and then by the number of factors (hand, schneider, schwarz, ouvert). For example, a hand game in hearts with three matadors and schneider announced has a game value of (11 x (3 + 1)) x 3 = 132. How to calculate the game value and score points
The game value determines the minimum bid that the declarer must make to win the game. It also determines the score that the declarer wins or loses at the end of the game. The score is calculated by multiplying the game value by a positive or negative factor depending on whether the declarer won or lost.
The declarer wins if they fulfill their contract, i.e., take at least 61 points in tricks (or more depending on the bid) in suit or grand games, or lose all tricks in null games. The declarer loses otherwise. The score is positive if the declarer wins and negative if they lose.
The score is also affected by whether the declarer was overbid or underbid. Overbidding means that the declarer's bid was higher than their game value. Underbidding means that the declarer's bid was lower than their game value. Overbidding results in a loss regardless of the outcome of the game. Underbidding results in a reduced score if the declarer wins.
For example, if the declarer bid 40 and played a suit game in spades with two matadors and won with 74 points, their game value would be 10 x (2 + 1) = 30. Since they underbid, their score would be reduced to 40 instead of 30. If they lost with 58 points, their score would be -40 instead of -30.
If the declarer bid 50 and played a grand game with one matador and lost with 45 points, their game value would be 24 x (1 + 1) = 48. Since they overbid, their score would be -50 instead of -48.
How to play tricks and use strategy
Each trick consists of three cards, one played by each player in clockwise order. The first player can play any card, and then each player must follow suit if possible. If not, they can play any card. The trick is won by the highest trump card played, or if no trump was played, by the highest card of the suit led.
The winner of each trick leads the next one. The game ends when all 10 tricks have been played. The points are counted and scored according to the rules explained above.
Skat is a game of skill and strategy that requires careful planning and calculation. Some general tips are:
Try to estimate your opponents' cards based on their bids and plays.
Try to remember which cards have been played and which are still in the game.
Try to use your trumps wisely and avoid wasting them on low-value cards.
Try to force your opponents to play their trumps or high cards by leading suits that they do not have.
Try to keep track of the score and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Try to cooperate with your partner if you are a defender and communicate with signals.
Try to bluff or mislead your opponents if you are a declarer and play unpredictably.
Conclusion
Skat is a fascinating card game that has been enjoyed by millions of people for over two centuries. It is a game that combines luck and skill, challenge and fun, tradition and innovation. Skat is not only a great way to pass time and have fun with friends, but also a way to exercise your mind and improve your memory, logic, and concentration. If you are interested in learning more about Skat or playing it with others, there are many resources and platforms available online. You can also find local Skat clubs or tournaments in your area. Skat is a game that can bring you joy and satisfaction for a lifetime. Why not give it a try and see for yourself?
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Skat and their answers.
What are the best sources to learn more about Skat?
There are many books, websites, and videos that can teach you the rules, strategies, and history of Skat. Some of the most popular and reliable ones are:
The International Skat Players Association (ISPA) website, which has the official rules, news, events, and links to other Skat resources.
The Skat Game website, which has a comprehensive guide to Skat rules, variants, tips, and terminology.
The Pagat website, which has a detailed overview of Skat history, rules, and variations.
The YouTube channel of Daniel Schäfer, a professional Skat player and teacher, who has many videos explaining Skat rules, tactics, and examples.
What are the differences between German Skat and North American or Texas Skat?
German Skat is the original and most widely played version of Skat. It follows the rules described in this article. North American or Texas Skat is a variant that was developed by German immigrants in the United States. It has some differences from German Skat, such as:
It uses a 52-card deck instead of a 32-card deck.
It has five players instead of three or four.
It has different bidding and scoring systems.
It has different game types and trump suits.
What are some common variations or house rules of Skat?
Skat is a game that allows for many variations and house rules, depending on the preferences of the players. Some of the most common ones are:
Ramsch: A game type that is played when all players pass in the bidding. The goal is to take as few points as possible. The player with the most points loses and pays to the other players.
Kontra and Re: A way of increasing the stakes of the game. The defenders can say "Kontra" before the first trick to double the score. The declarer can then say "Re" to redouble it.
Bock: A condition that triggers a special round where all scores are doubled. It can be triggered by various events, such as a null game, a grand game, a schwarz game, etc.
Jungfrau: A bonus for a defender who does not take any tricks. They receive an extra payment from the declarer or the loser of the game.
What are some online platforms or apps to play Skat with others?
There are many online platforms or apps that allow you to play Skat with other players from around the world. Some of the most popular and user-friendly ones are:
Skat Online: A website that lets you play Skat for free or for real money with thousands of players online. You can also chat, join clubs, and participate in tournaments.
Skat Palast: An app that lets you play Skat on your smartphone or tablet with realistic graphics and sound effects. You can also customize your avatar, earn achievements, and join leagues.
Skatstube: A website that lets you play Skat with live video and audio streaming. You can also watch other players' games, learn from tutorials, and join groups.
What are some other card games similar to Skat?
If you like Skat, you might also enjoy some other card games that have similar features or origins. Some of them are:
Schafkopf: A card game for four players that is very popular in Bavaria and Austria. It uses a 32-card deck and has similar bidding and scoring systems as Skat.
Doppelkopf: A card game for four players that is very popular in northern Germany. It uses a 48-card deck (two sets of 24 cards) and has similar bidding and scoring systems as Skat.
Bridge: A card game for four players that is very popular worldwide. It uses a 52-card deck and has similar bidding and scoring systems as Skat.
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