A partnership game where nobody knows who is playing with whom – until the teams reveal themselves through the cards.
Secret
teams
Doppelkopf is played by four with 48 cards (two identical sets of 24). The two players holding the Queens of Clubs automatically form a team – but don't know it at first.
The Queens' team aims to take more than 120 of 240 card points. The other team wins by preventing that.
Before the
game begins
Watch the play closely – players often unknowingly reveal whether they belong to the Queens' team long before any cards are shown openly.
and what is not
Trick by
trick
Doppelkopf has many regional special rules.
What really
matters
Watch which cards are played early – whoever uses a Queen of Clubs as trump early often unknowingly reveals themselves as a team member.
As a suspected Kontra team member, play trump aggressively early to force the Re players to react while their position is still unclear.
Save high trumps for critical tricks, especially towards the end when the team memberships have long been clear.
Use announcements early if your hand is strong enough – an early announcement bonus can decide a close game.
Revealing your team membership too early by playing trump carelessly before the situation is clear.
Forgetting that Diamonds are automatically trump – this often leads to wrong judgements about which suit must be followed.
Giving away the Fox in the last trick by playing an Ace of Diamonds carelessly in an early trick.
Realising too late that you are on the Re team (with a Queen of Clubs) and misplaying valuable early moves as a result.
Doppelkopf needs a double deck – our decks are ideal for combining into two sets.
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