Game Rules
BauernskatSkat without bidding

Simplified Skat variant for three players without bidding – simply declare the game type and start playing.

Players3
Duration10 – 20 Min
Deck32 Cards · 1 Deck
DifficultyMedium
I · Game Idea

Skat,
but simpler

I

Bauernskat works like regular Skat, but skips the complex bidding phase. Each player directly declares if and what type of game they want to play.

This makes the game significantly more accessible for beginners, without changing the fundamental trick-taking and scoring logic of Skat.

II · Preparation

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal cards
32 cards: 10 per player, 2 cards into the Skat.
2
Declare game type
In turn: if a player wants to play, they directly declare their game type.
3
Pick up Skat
The soloist picks up the 2 Skat cards and discards 2 of their own face down.
III · Card Values
What game types
there are
III
♣
Suit Game
Choose a trump suit
One suit becomes trump. Jacks are always the highest trump.
G
Grand
Only Jacks
Only the four Jacks are trump.
N
Null
No tricks
The soloist must not take a single trick.
60
Point Goal
Out of 120
The soloist needs more than 60 out of 120 points.
IV · Gameplay

Trick by
trick

IV
1
Declare game type
The first interested player directly declares their game type – no bidding necessary.
2
Pick up Skat
The soloist takes the 2 Skat cards; they count towards their points.
3
Play tricks
Forehand leads, others must follow suit if possible.
4
Highest card wins
The highest trump card wins the trick, otherwise the highest card of the led suit.
5
Score evaluation
The soloist counts their trick points plus Skat. Over 60: won. Game value is calculated according to the table, similar to regular Skat.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Bauernskat is a popular beginner's variant of classic Skat.

R
Ramsch (Junk)
If no one wants to play: Ramsch is played – fewest points wins.
H
Hand
The soloist plays without looking at the Skat – higher game value.
4
Four-player variant
With four players: one player sits out each round.
∅
Fixed order
Game type declaration in a fixed order instead of free choice.
Berlin Hold'em · Suitable Decks
Get the right deck

Bauernskat is the easy entry into the world of Skat – ready to play with a 32-card deck.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Double Pack For larger groups and long game nights. View Product Viking Playing Cards – Double Pack Two decks, suitable for 5+ players. View Product
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