Skat

Skat is the national card game of Germany, a three-player trick-taking game invented in Altenburg in the early 1800s. This version follows the international rules: you play against two computer players, bid for the right to name the game, and as declarer you need 61 of the 120 card points. Play the Skat card game free in your browser.

How to play Skat

The game uses a 32-card deck: 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in four suits. Each player gets 10 cards, and 2 cards go face down in the middle as the skat. Left of the dealer is forehand, then middlehand, and the dealer is rearhand.

• Bidding: middlehand bids to forehand using the game values 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27, 30 and up. Forehand says yes to hold the bid or passes. Then rearhand bids to whoever is left. The last player standing is the declarer. If nobody bids, forehand may play at 18 or pass, and if all three pass the deal is thrown in.
• The skat: the declarer either picks up the skat and puts any 2 cards away, or plays hand without looking at it. Either way, the skat’s points count for the declarer.
• Suit games: the four jacks are the highest trumps, in the order clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds. The rest of the trump suit follows: A, 10, K, Q, 9, 8, 7.
• Grand: only the four jacks are trumps, and the other suits rank A, 10, K, Q, 9, 8, 7.
• Null: there are no trumps, cards rank A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, and the declarer must lose every trick. The game ends the moment the declarer takes one.
• Play: forehand always leads the first trick. You must follow the suit led if you can, and all trumps count as one suit. The highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit led.

Game value and scoring

Aces count 11, tens 10, kings 4, queens 3 and jacks 2, for 120 points in the deck. A suit or grand game is worth its base value times a multiplier. Base values are diamonds 9, hearts 10, spades 11, clubs 12 and grand 24.

The multiplier starts with your matadors. If you hold the jack of clubs, count how many top trumps you hold in an unbroken run, for example “with 2” for the club and spade jacks. If you don’t, count how many are missing above your best trump (“without 2”). The skat counts as part of your hand for this. Add 1 for game, then 1 more each for hand, schneider (90 or more card points), schwarz (every trick) and each announcement. Schneider and schwarz can only be announced in a hand game.

Example: with 1, game 2, hand 3, in clubs is 3 × 12 = 36. Null games have fixed values: null 23, null hand 35, null ouvert 46 and null ouvert hand 59.

• Won game: the value is added to the declarer’s score.
• Lost game: twice the value is subtracted, hand games included, as in the international rules.
• Overbid: if your game turns out to be worth less than your bid, you lose at the lowest multiple of the base value that reaches the bid.

Only the declarer scores by default. Seeger-Fabian tournament scoring adds 50 for each won game, takes 50 for each lost one, and gives each defender 40 when the declarer loses. A game lasts 12 deals.

Strategy tips

• Work out your value before you bid. Count matadors plus 1 and multiply by the base value of your best suit. That is your ceiling.
• Jacks win games. Two or more jacks with five trumps is usually enough for a suit game. Three jacks and some aces point to a grand.
• Put away loose points. A ten without its ace is easy prey. Put it in the skat, where its 10 points are safe for you.
• Defenders smear points. When your fellow defender is sure to win a trick, throw on an ace or ten.

FAQ

Is this Skat game free?

Yes. No account or install needed, on desktop or phone.

Are Ramsch and Kontra included?

No. This version sticks to the international tournament rules, where a deal nobody bids on is simply thrown in. Kontra and Re doubling are not played.

Can I play with German-suited cards?

Not yet. The cards use French suits (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds), which follow exactly the same rules as the German acorns, leaves, hearts and bells.

Are my results saved?

Yes. Games won, deals played, your declarer record, best score and scoring choice are saved in your browser.

Like jacks as top trumps? Try Euchre, or test your trick-avoiding skills from null games in Hearts.