Game Rules
SkatGermany's national card game

Bid, pick trump, win tricks. Skat is one of the most complex and beloved card games in Germany.

Players3
Time15 – 25 min
Deck32 cards · 1 deck
LevelMedium to demanding
I · The Idea

Bidding for
the solo

I

Skat is played by three players with 32 cards. Two players bid against each other for the right to play as declarer against the other two.

The declarer picks the trump suit (or plays Grand/Null) and tries to win more than 60 of the 120 card points – alone against the other two.

II · Setup

Before the
game begins

II
1
Deal the cards
Each player receives 10 cards. 2 cards go face down into the skat.
2
Bidding
The players bid against each other. Whoever bids highest becomes declarer.
3
Pick up the skat
The declarer picks up the 2 skat cards and discards 2 of their own face down.
Before you start

Bid values are based on the game type and the number of Jacks – estimate roughly what your hand is worth before bidding.

III · Card Values
The game
types
III
♣
Suit game
Pick a trump
One suit becomes trump. Jacks are always the highest trumps, then the chosen suit.
G
Grand
Jacks only
Only the four Jacks are trumps – all other cards play in their own suit.
N
Null
No tricks
The declarer must not win a single trick. Cards rank in natural order.
60
Point target
Out of 120
The declarer needs more than 60 of the 120 card points to win.
IV · Gameplay

Trick by
trick

IV
1
Bidding
The players take turns bidding higher. Whoever passes is out.
2
Pick up the skat
The winner of the bidding picks up the 2 skat cards – they count towards their points.
3
Announce the game
The declarer announces a trump suit, Grand or Null.
4
Play tricks
Forehand leads, the others must follow suit if possible. The highest card wins the trick.
5
Scoring
The declarer counts their trick points plus the skat. Over 60: won. The game value is calculated from the table and noted on the score sheet.
V · Variants
Variants
V

Skat has an official tournament rulebook, but also popular house rules.

R
Ramsch
If everyone passes: Ramsch is played – fewest card points wins.
H
Hand
The declarer plays without looking at the skat – higher game value.
O
Ouvert
The declarer lays their cards face up on the table – highest game value.
4
Four-player Skat
With four players: one sits out each round.
VI · Tips & Tricks

What really
matters

VI
Strategy Tips
+

Count your trumps and Jacks carefully before bidding – they largely determine the realistic game value of your hand.

+

In a Grand, only the four Jacks count as trumps – plan accordingly which suits you can safely run.

+

As a defender, lead high trumps early if you suspect the declarer is short on trumps – it forces them to react.

+

In a Null game as declarer: hold back especially low cards that you can safely keep below every card played.

Common Mistakes
–

Overestimating what's in the skat before seeing it – that leads to inflated bids.

–

Not playing in coordination as defenders – defenders should support each other, even without open communication.

–

Misjudging the number of trumps in a suit game – there can be eleven trumps, which changes the entire tactics.

–

Not calculating the game value before bidding and thereby losing a game that was objectively unwinnable.

Berlin Hold'em · Matching Decks
Get the right deck

Skat is Germany's number one card game – played with a 32-card deck that fits in any pocket.

View all designs →
20s Playing Cards – Twin Pack For bigger groups and long game nights. View product Viking Playing Cards – Twin Pack Two decks, ideal for 5+ players. View product
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