Schafkopf
"The supreme discipline of Bavarian card games" | |
Point-trick | |
Players | 4 |
---|---|
Skills | Tactics & Strategy |
Cards | 32 |
Deck | German |
Rank (high→low) | Trump suit (Rufer): O O O O U U U U A 10 K 9 8 7 Side suit: A 10 K 9 8 7 |
Play | Clockwise |
Playing time | 5 min/deal 20 min/round |
Chance | Medium |
Related games | |
Bierkopf • German Schafkopf • Mucken |
Schafkopf (German:
Its closest relatives are
The first official rules were established by the Bavarian Schafkopf Club (Bayerischer Schafkopf-Verein) in 1989.[5] These were revised by the School of Schafkopf (Schafkopfschule)[6] and form guidelines for the detail of the game and the conduct of the players. However, unlike Skat, Schafkopf is not really seen as a sport, but purely as a leisure activity. As a result, a large number of traditional rules and variants are used in private games, which can vary considerably from region to region. These common forms of the game are referred to as 'impure' Schafkopf (unreiner Schafkopf) in contrast with 'pure' or standard Schafkopf which is played in tournaments. The name is sometimes spelt Schaffkopf,(German: [ˈʃafkɔpf]) Schafkopfen or, historically, Schaafkopf, and in north Germany in the Low German dialect: Schaapskopp or Kopp.[7] To play Schafkopf is Schafkopfen and players may be called Schafkopfer.
History
Etymology
There are various theories about the origin of the name Schafkopf, most of which come from traditional folklore. One suggestion is that Schafkopf acquired its name at a time when it was played for up to nine[8][9] or twelve[10] points which were marked with a piece of chalk as lines on a board, gradually forming the stylized appearance of a sheep's head (German: Schaf = sheep, Kopf = head).[11] However, evidence of such notation is not found in the Bavarian context where it was invariably played for money.
Until the late 1960s, the alternative spelling Schaffkopf was not uncommon in Bavaria as an alternative spelling for Schafkopf;[a] the ensuing discussion about the supposedly only correct form and its origin was the subject of extensive debate at that time - among other things in the columns of the Bavarian press - before the common variant Schafkopf became widely accepted from about 1970. However, it was not a new argument. In 1862, the family monthly, Deutsches Magazin, claimed that Schaffkopf "did not bear the unaesthetic name Schafkopf ["sheep's head"], which it is frequently called today as if to imply that playing it only required the level of mental ability which wise nature bestows on a dumb animal in our pastures; on the contrary it is the game that "creates intelligence" by giving all those who have had little education the opportunity to learn about combination theory and probability."[12]
The issue was largely forgotten when author Wolfgang Peschel argued in the early 1990s for the double 'f' spelling based on the popular traditional view that, in earlier times, the game was supposed to have been played (geklopft) on the lids (Köpfen) of barrels (Upper German: Schaff, c.f. Schäffler/Scheffel).[13][5][14] To this day, such casks are used as tables at beer stands and beer halls. Although this hypothesis is unanimously rejected by experts and there is no evidence for it in older sources, it is widespread on the Internet.
Another theory, which dates to the mid-19th century, is that it comes from "Schaffen" and "Kopf", "to work one's brain".[15][16]
Forerunners
The indirect precursors of the various games of the Schafkopf family (which includes
The special feature of Bavarian Schafkopf, the selection of a playing partner by 'calling' a Sow (= Deuce, but often called an Ace), was also usual in German Solo; the determination of the winning team by counting card points (Augen), instead of tricks, however, has another origin, perhaps in Bavarian Tarock or related games.
A possible ancestor of Schafkopf is the game of Scharwenzel, first recorded in Leipzig in 1715,
Emergence and development
The origin and development of the game of Schafkopf - in comparison with
The game of Schafkopf is first recorded in the 1780s in the literature. In Hartmann's comedy, The Thankful Daughter (Die Dankbare Tochter) published in 1780, Platz tells his brother that "I thought we'd play a Schaafkopf" and they go to look for a pack of cards.[21] It also appears in a 1782 Saxon schedule of penalties, Drinking and Gaming on Workdays and Sundays (Zechen und Spielen an Werktagen und Sonntagen), typically with the remark that, unlike Hazard for example, it was not to be considered a game of chance in the legal sense and was thus permitted.[22]
The specifically Bavarian variant of the game originated with the introduction of the Rufer or 'Call Ace' contract in the first half of the 19th century - apparently in Franconia. The first clear mention of a game of Schafkopf played according to Bavarian rules (in Gräfenberg) dates to the year 1849;[23] and while Schapfkopf playing in Franconia was already widespread in the 1840s,[24] in the Bavarian Forest, Tarock (the Bavarian game, not the true Tarock game played in Austria) was more popular.[25] The question about the origin of the Bavarian Schafkopf cannot be answered conclusively, but available sources suggest a migration from north to south.
The earliest clear description of the game appears in a poem, Das edle Schafkopf-Spiel[c] in the Regensburger Conversations-Blatt in 1876 which not only lists all 14 trumps, but also the contracts of Rufer and Solo as well as features such as the called Ace and losing Schneider.[26] However, the oldest actual rule set for Bavarian Schafkopf is found in Der gewandte Kartenspieler: 2. Der Schaffkopf: ein geistreiches Kartenspiel[d] printed in Würzburg in 1884.[27] This was followed a decade later by the Schafkopf-Büchlein - Detailliche Anleitung zum Lernen und Verbessern des Schafkopfspiel mit deutschen Karten,[e] published in Amberg in 1895, in which the author explicitly explains the differences from Schafkopf variants played in northern Germany, i.e. Skat and Doppelkopf. The 1876 poem is reprinted although the author clearly did not know its origin.[28]
Schafkopf was a
Schafkopf competitions were frequently reported in the newspapers along with unusual feats. In 1880, the Lichtenfelser Tagblatt reported that a Schafkopf player in
In the early rule sets, there were only two contracts: a Frage (now Rufer) in which the declarer called for a non-trump Ace and its holder became the declarer's partner and Hearts were always trumps; and a Solo in which the declarer
The rules of the game were officially established by the Bavarian Schafkopf Club (Bayerischer Schafkopf-Verein e. V.) at the 1st Bavarian Schafkopf Congress on 17 December 1989 in Munich's Hofbräuhaus[5] These were updated by the School of Schafkopf (Schafkopfschule e. V.) in 2007 which has published a revised version on its website.[6] The School of Schafkopf has established itself as an authority on questions of rule interpretation.
Overview and aim
Schafkopf is a four-player game in which players bid either to play with the aid of a partner or, if their hand is strong enough, to play alone against the other three players. Players receive eight cards from a 32-card, German-suited deck in which the suit ranking is A (high) 10 K O U 9 8 7. However, the game is dominated by trumps because the trump suit is usually augmented by Obers and Unters. There is a simple auction in which players get one chance to pass or play a contract. If two offer to play, there is a priority based on the rank of the contract and the order of bidding. The winning bidder becomes the declarer and clarifies the contract.
The lowest contract and by far the most commonly played is a Rufer ("Caller") in which the declarer names a side suit Ace (not held) and the player with the called Ace becomes the silent partner, whose identity is only revealed by the play of the cards. There is a long trump suit comprising all four Obers, four Unters and all the Hearts: 14 trumps in all. The aim is not primarily to win tricks but to capture cards with a point value – especially Aces and Tens – whereby the values are A = 11, Ten = 10, King = 4, Ober = 3, Unter = 2 and the rest are 'nixers', worth nothing. Thus the overall aim is to score as many points as possible by skilful and tactical play both in partnership and or individual games.[6]
A player with high trumps and a long suit may risk a soloist game of which there are two in standard Schafkopf: the Wenz, in which only Unters are trumps, and the Solo in which any suit may be named as trumps alongside the usual Obers and Unters. The declarer, this time as a soloist, plays alones against the three defenders who band together to try to prevent the declarer from winning. In most games, the target is for the declaring team or soloist to score at least 61 of the 120 card points available. There are bonuses for scoring over 3/4 of the points or taking all eight tricks. An exception are the
Schafkopf is not classed by the German authorities as a
Cards
Schafkopf is a four-handed game played with a 32-card,
Suits of the Bavarian pattern | |||
---|---|---|---|
Acorns (Eichel) |
Leaves (Grün/Gras) |
Hearts (Herz) |
Bells (Schellen) |
Suits
German packs have four
Card values
There are eight cards in each suit: Ace,
The Obers and Unters were collectively known historically as
Card names
For historical reasons the Ace is known in Bavaria as a Sau ("Sow") and, despite having "A" as a corner index, displays two suit symbols at each end. This is because the Ace was dropped from German packs very early on and later replaced by the
Standard Schafkopf
Standard or pure (reiner) Schafkopf comprises three basic contracts – Rufer, Wenz and Solo – which are universally known and the only ones permitted at most tournaments. The following description takes account of the official rules published by the Schafkopf School in Munich.[6]
Deal
Four players sit crosswise at the table. The first
The dealer deals clockwise beginning with
The role of dealer rotates clockwise; four
Auction
Before play, there is an auction
Forehand opens by saying "pass" if not wishing to bid, or "I'll play" to bid any contract.[g] If forehand passes, the next player in turn has the same options, and so on round the table.
As soon as someone offers to 'play', a subsequent player must either
When a second bid is made, the first bidder must either pass or say "I'll play myself",[i] to play a Wenz or Solo.
If the first bidder says "I'll play myself", the second must pass unless intending to play a Solo, which is announced by saying "I have a Solo" or "but not a Wenz".[j]
The first bidder may hold again by saying "myself". The second bidder would now have to announce an intention to take all eight tricks (Tout) by saying "Wenz Tout", "Solo Tout" or, in the rare event of being dealt all 8 lords, "Sie".
If two players have equal bids, the earlier bidder has the priority. Once either passes, the next player in turn must overcall or pass.[6]
If all pass, the cards are thrown in and the next dealer deals.[6][k]
Contracts
Rufer
The normal contract: Rufer | ||
Trumps: | O O O O U U U U A 10 K 9 8 7 | |
Side suits: | A 10 K 9 8 7 | |
A 10 K 9 8 7 | A 10 K 9 8 7 |
A Rufer is the normal contract and the one played about 80% of the time.
A player who wishes to play with the help of a partner may announce a Rufer and - unless someone bids a Wenz or Solo – will become the
A). The declarer must not have the Ace in question and must have at least one card of the same suit as the called Ace. The declarer and the owner of the called Ace then play together as a team and will combine their points won in tricks at the end. The other two become the defenders and will also combine their points.The player with the called Ace,[m] may not reveal this and is only discovered during play. Strict rules apply to the playing of the called Ace:[6]
- It must be played if its suit is led to a trick, even if the called player has another card of that suit.[n]
- It may not be smearedif the led card is of a different suit, even though the called player is void in that suit.
- A player may not lead another card of the called suit while holding the called Ace back with the exception below.
- If the called player has at least 3 other cards of the called suit and that suit has not already been played, a lower card may be led, and the called Ace held back. This is 'running away' and the called Ace is referred to as the 'Running Sow' (Laufsau). There are no restrictions on a Running Sow; it is played as any other side suit Ace.
- If the called Ace is not led or demanded earlier, it must be left to the last trick.
Wenz
Wenz | ||
Trumps: | U U U U | |
Side suits: | A 10 K O 9 8 7 | A 10 K O 9 8 7 |
A 10 K O 9 8 7 | A 10 K O 9 8 7 |
A Wenz
Solo
Example: Bell Solo (Schellensolo) | ||
Trumps | O O O O U U U U A 10 K 9 8 7 | |
Side suits: | A 10 K 9 8 7 | |
A 10 K 9 8 7 | A 10 K 9 8 7 |
In a solo – strictly speaking, a suit solo (Farbsolo) – the Obers and Unters remain the highest trumps, but the soloist is free to choose any suit as trumps, its cards then ranking in the usual ace–ten order (see table).[p]
Tout and Sie
A player intending to make a
The highest possible contract in Schafkopf is a Sie, when a player is dealt all 4 Obers and all 4 Unters[r] The probability of this is 1 in 10,518,300 (in short cards 1 in 134,596).[s] It is the only game that does not have to be played out; the hand is simply placed on the table. It normally scores four times the basic game value. In many Bavarian pubs, a Sie is honoured by the custom of no longer using the cards, but framing the Sie hand on the wall together with the date and name of the player.
Doubling
A defender who might have a stronger hand than the declarer may double the game value by announcing "Stoss!" or "Spritzn!" This must be done before the second card is played to the first trick. The declarer may redouble with "Retour!" before the second card is played. The role of declarer does not switch.[6]
Play
Once the contract has been announced, forehand leads to the first trick and then the other players play a card in clockwise order. Players must
Failure to follow suit, criticising or verbally trying to influence the game generally results in the loss of the game.
If a trick is not yet completed (i.e. the cards are still face up on the table), each player has the right to ask to see the previous trick.
Scoring
After play is over, the
There is a bonus for
An exception are Tout (i.e.
Declaring team | Declaring team's result | Defending team's result | Defending team | |
won with Schwarz | all tricks taken | no tricks taken | lost with Schwarz | |
won with Schneider | 91–120 points | 0–29 points | lost with Schneider | |
simple win | 61–90 points | 30–59 points | simple loss | |
simple loss | 31–60 points | 60–89 points | simple win | |
lost with Schneider | 0–30 points | 90–120 points | won with Schneider | |
lost with Schwarz | no tricks taken | all tricks taken | won with Schwarz |
The scale of win and type of contract determine the game points awarded using a
Settlement
If Schafkopf is played for money, the winnings are paid out after the end of each hand. The unit of payment (e.g. 5 cents) and the
- Rufer: 1 unit
- Wenz: 5 units
- Solo: 5 units
Schneider and Schwarz
If a team is Schneider at the end of the game, the value of the game is increased by 1 unit. If they are Schwarz it is increased by 2 units (whether the game has been won by the declarer's team or the defenders has no effect on the tariff). The payment of Schneider is a matter of honour and paid voluntarily, whereas Schwarz must be claimed by the winner.
Runners
Runners [t] are trumps held by one side or the other in unbroken sequence from the highest downwards. They earn an additional 1 unit per runner provided that there are at least 3 runners in a Rufer or Solo, or at least 2 in a Wenz.
Example: Annika wins a Solo with 91 card points having had the 3 highest Obers. From each opponent she earns 20 cents for the win, 10 cents for Schneider (over 90) and 30 cents for 3 runners making a total game value of 60 cents. Thus she earns 180 cents in total; each opponent paying her 60 cents.
Tournament rules
Seating is pre-determined and player 1 at each table is the first dealer. To shuffle a new pack, the Sixes are removed, the cards spread over the table, face down, and shuffled by all four players. Cards are shuffled a second time by another player before cutting.[6]
In some Schafkopf tournaments there is a special variant of the Stock called the Reuegeld.
Social games
Deal
In social games, the cutter may instruct the dealer to deal the cards differently e.g. "all eight" instead of 2 packets of 4, or "anti-clockwise".
Payments
Social games are often played for small stakes where e.g. 1 unit = 5 cents. The tariff is usually made up of a lower rate for Rufer games (the 'unit') and a higher rate for Wenz and Solo games, usually 2 or 5 units, chosen for ease of calculation and coin size. For example, if 5 cents is the rate for a Rufer and the Wenz/Solo rate is 20 cents, the basic tariff is referred to as 5/20. In social games, the most common rates are 5/20, 10/20 and 10/50 (equivalent to the Schafkopf School tariff).
Sometimes the tariff includes a third sum to counteract the sometimes disproportionate effect of bonuses. For example, if the rate is 10/20/50, then 10 cents is the basic tariff for Schneider and runners (see below); 20 cents is paid for a Rufer and for Schwarz and 50 cents for a Wenz or Solo.
In private rounds the minimun number of runners in all contracts may be set at 3. A maximum may also be set at anything between 4 and 14.
Scoring table
The following example is a typical point scoring scheme for social Schafkopf. It may be converted to a payment scheme by setting e.g. 1 point = 10 cents which corresponds to a 10/20 payment system.
Partnership contract | |||
Contract | Result | Winners | Losers |
Rufer | straight win | + 1 each | - 1 each |
won with Schneider | + 2 each | - 2 each | |
won with Schwarz | + 3 each | - 3 each | |
Soloist contracts | |||
Contract | Result | Soloist | Defenders |
Wenz, Solo | won by soloist | + 6 | - 2 each |
lost by soloist | - 6 | + 2 each | |
won by soloist Schneider | + 9 | - 3 each | |
lost by soloist Schneider | - 9 | + 3 each | |
won by soloist Schwarz | + 12 | - 4 each | |
lost by soloist Schwarz | - 12 | + 4 each | |
won by soloist with Tout | + 18 | - 6 each | |
lost by soloist with Tout | - 18 | + 6 each | |
Sie | immediate win | +24 | -8 each |
Pot
If playing for money, players may pre-agree that each player puts a
Optional contracts
Contract type | Game | |
Tout games (those in which all tricks are taken) |
Sie | |
Solo Tout | ||
Wenz Tout | ||
Geier Tout | ||
Suit Wenz Tout | ||
Suit Geier Tout | ||
Bettel Brett, Ramsch Tout | ||
Solo games | Solo | |
Wenz | ||
Geier | ||
Suit Wenz | ||
Suit Geier | ||
Negative games (Bettel etc.)*
| ||
Partnership games | Hochzeit (Wedding)* | |
Rufer | ||
Force (Muss) | ||
Ramsch |
Part of the rich culture of Schafkopf is the diverse range of optional contracts that may be added to classic or 'pure' Schafkopf. These contracts are rarely allowed in tournaments, but have a permanent place in many places where Schafkopf is played for leisure. The ranking of the most common add-on contracts is shown in the table alongside the standard Schafkopf contracts (* = classification regionally very different).
Special partnership contracts
Hochzeit
A player with only one trump, may place it face down on the table and offer a Hochzeit ("Wedding" or "Marriage"). The player who picks up the card first (the dealer invites them to do so in clockwise order) passes a non-trump card face down in exchange to the "suitor" (Hochzeiter) and becomes the partner. In the variant Bauernhochzeit ("Farmers' Wedding"), also called Doppelhochzeit ("Double Wedding"), two cards are exchanged.
The rules vary slightly from region to region. For example, they may stipulate that the wedding card must be placed face up on the table or may only be allowed if all players have passed. In the (rare) case that two players hold only one trump each, a Double Wedding is also possible. The declaring team is the pair that announced the first Wedding.
Kreuzbock
The Kreuzbock, also callea a Kreuzrunde, Kreuz, Rock or Goaß is a partnership variant played, for example, if all players have passed, after a Heart Solo or after a lost Solo. Usually a full round (four hands) is played. The players facing one another across the table automatically form teams. Although rules vary from region to region, it is usually agreed that the declarer's team is:
- the team that said the last Stoss or Contra etc.
- if no Stoss or Contra has been said, the first team to lay
- if there has been no Contra or laying, the team leading to the first trick
Muss
A Muss is a
Special soloist contracts
These games, too, are generally only of regional significance, as a result only the most common are described here.
Geier
Geier | ||
Trumps: | O O O O | |
Side suits: | A 10 K U 9 8 7 | A 10 K U 9 8 7 |
A 10 K U 9 8 7 | A 10 K U 9 8 7 |
Geier is a contract in which only the Obers are trumps. There are thus 11 trumps and the Unters take their place between the King and Nine of their respective suits. It ranks below a Wenz.
There are similar contract variants in which another card denomination is entrumped:
- Kaiser: only the Kings are trumps. Also called König, Keni, Krone, Habicht, Adler, Hühnergeier or Bart. Ranks below Geier.
- Eisenbahner: only the Tens are trumps. Ranks below Adler and Geier
- Spatz: only the Sevens are trumps. Ranks above Wenz.
Suit Geier
A Suit Geier (Farbgeier) is a Geier in which a suit is also nominated as trumps. Thus in a Leaf Geier, Leaves are trumps as well as the four Obers. The trump ranking in a Leaf Geier is thus: O O O O A 10 K U 9 8 7.
The corresponding contracts for the other variants are:
- Suit Kaiser: Also called a Suit König (Farbkönig) etc.
- Suit Eisenbahner (Farbeisenbahner).
Suit Wenz
Example: Bell Wenz (Schellenwenz) | ||
Trumps | U U U U A 10 K O 9 8 7 | |
Side suits: | A 10 K O 9 8 7 | |
A 10 K O 9 8 7 | A 10 K O 9 8 7 |
In a Suit Wenz (Farbwenz), the Unters are the highest trumps and, in addition, a trump suit is also chosen. The Obers revert to their normal suits which leaves eleven trumps. Thus there are four distinct contracts: Acorn Wenz (Eichewenz), Leaf Wenz (Graswenz), Heart Wenz (Herzwenz) and Bell Wenz (Schellenwenz). During the bidding process, if two players bid and need to clarify their contracts, a player need only say e.g. "I have a Suit Wenz", thus concealing their strong suit. If that player wins the auction, the suit is clarified by saying e.g. "I'm playing a "Bell Wenz".
Bettel
Bettel | |||
No trumps | |||
A K O U | A K O U | A K O U | A K O U |
A
- Bettel Brett: a variant found in many regions which is simply a Bettel played ouvert. The declarer's cards are placed face up after the first trick. Double the value of a Bettel.[40]
- Pfd (Mörtel or Ramsch Tout): played as a Bettel but Obers, Unters and hearts are trumps as in a Rufer and ace–ten ranking is used.[40][41]
Sometimes variants are played where the Obers and Unters are trumps, but there is no trump suit.[42]
Special games or rounds
Sometimes special games rounds with different rules are played after certain events (for example, Kreuzbock rounds, Doppler or Bock rounds and Ramsch rounds).
Bock games or rounds
Bock games or rounds are those for which there is double tariff. Players may agree beforehand that they will occur, for example, after the cards are thrown in, after a lost solo or doubled game, after a game ends 60-all and/or after Schwarz or Re games. In the case of a Bock round, the next four deals are played at double the usual tariff.
Ramsch
Ramsch is a contract often played if no-one has bid (often the 'last man' has the option of announcing Ramsch if the players bidding before him have all passed). There is no declarer and each player plays individually against everyone else. The same trump cards apply as for a Rufer, but this time the aim is to score as few card points as possible. The player with the most points loses and pays the others. If two or more players score the same number of points, the one with the most tricks loses. If the number of tricks is also equal, the player with the most trumps in the tricks loses; if that number is also equal, the player with the higher trump loses. Special rules adapted from Skat are the Durchmarsch or Mord, which correspond to a "sweep" or "slam", i.e. one player takes all the tricks to wins the game, and Jungfrau ("maiden") (i.e. one or two players do not make a trick, the loser pays twice or four times). There are no fixed rules for settling a Ramsch contract: either the loser pays the basic rate or a specially agreed rate to all players or the two players with the most points pay to the other two.
A variation is Schieberamsch, a local variant, where the tricks are passed on clockwise at the end of the game, and where the player who has the fewest points at the end also wins.
Schieber
A Schieber , Schiebersolo or Schieber Round (Schieber-Runde) is played as a full round of 4 deals. The O and O (the 2 highest lords) are removed from the pack before dealing; the dealer deals as usual, but receives only 6 cards. Forehand picks up the 2 cards and must decide whether to pass them on or play a Solo. Either way, forehand passes (pushes or schiebt) any two cards face down to middlehand. If they are the two lords, middlehand has the same choice. This continues until the third player passes two cards to the dealer, who now has 8 cards. The player who has the two lords announces trumps and must play a Solo against the rest. If none wishes to play a Solo the cards are either thrown in. Schieber is also possible with 3 cards being set aside or with 4 cards, in which case all 4 Obers are removed and the Solo must be determined before the cards are dealt.
Related to four-card Schieber is the Devil's Round (Teufelsrunde) from Munich. Forehand is given the O, O, O and U and must announce the Solo before any cards are dealt.[40]
Other special rounds
Of the myriad special contracts, often regional or local, a selection is described here:
- Allgäu Round (Allgäuer Runde, Chiprunde, Fisiko, Drei-Kombi-Muss): three rounds are played, during which each player has to play a Rufer, a Wenz and a Solo.[40]
- Hadschader (Hatschate,[41] Hadsch or Hatsch):[u] After a lost solo, a round played in which forehand must always play and is automatically stossed.[40]
- Minas is when, after a Solo has been won, a round of forced Solos is played. In each case forehand must play a Solo of his or her choice. After the end of the round the player with the poorest Solo result makes a pre-agreed payment to the three winners. (Mönchberg, Unterfranken)[43]
- Strixner (Solo hinterum): there is no auction and players compete individually under normal rules. Whoever wins the third trick, must announce a solo contract.[40] In the version called Solo hinterum, the soloist is the first to three tricks; if all take two, it is scored as in a Ramsch.[44]
- Zupf Solo: the soloist is allowed to 'pluck' (zupfen) any card from another player's hand and give any card in exchange (Bavarian Swabia).[40]
Last round
A Schafkopf session traditionally ends with the words "the old man deals the last round" (Der Alte gibt die letzte Runde). The player who last had the O in a Rufer, then deals the first hand of the final round. For the last round, special rules sometimes apply (double game values, only Solo games or the like).
Other variations
Doubling
Variations of the official procedure for doubling include:
- Alternatives to Stoss: Contra, Kontra or Spritze
- Alternatives to Retour: Re, Gegenstoß.
- Escalation: after Stoss and Retour, further doubling calls – e.g. Sub, Re-Sub, etc. – are allowed, each doubling the game value.
- First (Card): doubling is only allowed as the first card is led to the first trick.
- Eight Cards: players may double as they play their first card and redouble as they play their second.
- Taking over the Game: by calling Contra the defenders take over the game (Kontra übernimmt) and need 61 points to win.
- Knocking: In some circles, doubling is announced by knocking (klopfen) on the table or by saying e.g. "Doppeln!" Normally a token[v] is placed on the table to confirm this. Depending on the local rules only forehand, only one player or all players may double. If more than one player doubles the game the factors are multiplied, i.e. one player 2x, two players 4x, three players 8x and four players 16x. These factors take effect after all bonuses are added. In the case of Tout the game value doubles but no Schneider or Schwarz bonus is paid. See Doubling variations.
- Laying (Legen): after picking up their first packet of 4 cards (3 in Short Schafkopf), players in turn may 'lay' (legen) a coin or other object, the Leger, on the table. Each Leger doubles the game again. In some circles, forehand may lay, but a subsequent player may only lay if the player beforehand has done so. This is called laying "one after the other" (nacheinander) as opposed to "all over the place" (durcheinander).
- Knocking (Klopfen): after picking up their first packet of 4 cards (3 in Short Schafkopf), players may 'knock (klopfen) in clockwise order; each knock doubles the game.
Scoring in 'impure' Schafkopf
Taking all the possible contracts, bonuses and doubling mechanisms, results in the following scheme for calculating the game value if G is the basic tariff (Grundtarif) or payment unit for a Rufer:
Game | Tariff | + Schneider | + Schwarz | + Runners | Multiplication | Doubling (Stoss, Legen, Bock) |
= Game Value |
Rufer | 1 × G or 2 × G |
+ 1 × G | + 1 × G | + each × G or ½ × G |
– | each × 2 | Sum |
Hochzeit | × 2 | ||||||
Wenz, Solo, Geier, other solo contracts |
4 × G or 5 × G |
+ 1 × G | + 1 × G | – | |||
Tout | – | – | × 2 | ||||
Sie | × 4 |
Variants
Short Schafkopf
A popular variant in parts of eastern Bavarian (Upper Palatinate and Upper Franconia) is "short Schafkopf", also called "sharp Schafkopf", which is played with just 24 cards, the 7s and 8s being removed. This is called playing with a "short pack" (Kurze Karte) and each player only receives 6 instead of the usual 8 cards as in the "long pack". Playing short Schafkopf makes the game faster and alters playing tactics because of the changed probabilities. The cards are more frequently thrown in and partnership games are less common. Sometimes the 9s are removed to leave just 20 cards in the game and players are then dealt 5 cards each. Packs are sold by ASS Altenburger and F.X. Schmid specifically for the short game and labelled Kurze Scharfe ("Short Sharp Ones"), a pun on scharf ("sharp") and Schaf ("sheep").[46][w]
Short Schafkopf is played in
A shortened pack is also used for three-hand Schafkopf, players still receiving eight cards as in standard Schafkopf. However, only soloist games (e.g. Wenz, Geier and Solo, but not Rufer) are possible.
Two-, Three- and Five-Hand Schafkopf
The following variants exist for two, three or five players:
- Two-Player Wendish Schafkopf.
- Three-hand Schafkopf (Schafkopf zu dritt): the game is played with 'short cards'. Each player is dealt 8 cards and only Solo or Wenz are played. It is not permitted in tournaments.
- Five-hand Schafkopf (Schafkopf zu fünft): as per normal Schafkopf, but the dealer sits out.
Bierkopf
Bierkopf ("beer head") is a very simplified form of Schafkopf that is a useful entry-level game. Players play in fixed partnerships, there is no auction and trumps are fixed as Obers, Unters and Hearts, as in a Rufer. The game is highly popular in Franconia where it is often played for Masses (litres) of beer. It has been reproduced as an app by Rackoon.
Mucken
Mucken is a form intermediate between Bierkopf and Schafkopf. Again, there are fixed partnerships and no soloist games, but there is an auction and range of contracts with different trump mixes. Like Bierkopf, it is popular in Franconia and has also been produced as an app by Rackoon.
Tournament Schafkopf
Schafkopf, as a genuine leisure pursuit, is, by definition, not organized; nevertheless, many clubs in public life, such as sports or shooting clubs, but also breweries and restaurants, regularly organize Schafkopf tournaments in Bavaria, where they are also called Schafkopfrennen ("Schafkopf races"). Despite the comparatively uniform rules of these tournaments, there are still considerable regional differences.
Schafkopf in culture
Recently, the declining importance of the Schafkopf game as a leisure activity, especially among young people, has been discussed in Bavarian media.[47] This has also been viewed at the municipal level as an imminent loss of part of Bavarian identity; countermeasures are therefore receiving increasingly wide support. More and more adult education centres in Bavaria offer Schafkopf courses.
Schafkopf has its own language, known as
Literature and media
- In a Bavarian version of the song Herz ist Trumpf (Dann rufst du an …) ("Hearts are Trumps (then call [me]...)") by Trio, Max Griesser describes the course of a Hearts Solo during a game of Schafkopf.
- The crime thriller Schafkopf by Andreas Föhr also deals with the game.[48]
- Schafkopf – a bissel was geht immer is the title of an early evening programme which was aired by German broadcaster, ZDF in 2012. It stars a female detective, Sandra (played by Marlene Morreis), who plays Schafkopf regularly with 3 companions - a police officer, lawyer and priest – who routinely help her solve crime in her local Bavarian town.[49]
Ceremonies
In some localities, the local Schafkopf club holds an 'Eichelober Ball', electing one of their number as the 'Eichelober' (Ober of Acorns), who wears a fancy hat and presides over ceremonial activities. He may be accompanied by Queen of the Ball. The ball may be funded by the penalty money amassed during the year by playing the game.[50]
Records
Until 2006, the
See also
- General
- Schafkopf family members
- Baśka
- Bauerchen
- Bierkopf
- Doppelkopf
- Kop
- Mucken
- Officers' Schafkopf
- Scharwenzel
- Schieberamsch
- Sheepshead
- Skærvindsel
- Skat
- Wendish Schafkopf
- Zole
Notes
- ^ In both senses: the sheep's head and the game.
- ^ Thuringia as such did not exist at the time but much of the area was ruled by Saxony.
- ^ "The Noble Game of Schafkopf."
- ^ "The Skilful Card Player: 2. Schafkopf: an Ingenious Card Game."
- ^ "Schafkopf Booklet - Detailed Instructions for Learning and Improving at the Game of Schafkopf Using German-Suited Cards."
- ^ Auction: Spielansage.
- ^ Pass: ich passe, weiter or weg; I'll play: ich spiele.
- ^ Play on: spiel zu; good: ist Recht; I'll play too: ich spiele auch or ich würde auch spielen.
- ^ I'll play myself: ich spiele selbst.
- ^ I have a Solo: ich hätte einen Solo; but not a Wenz: aber keinen Wenz.
- .
- ^ Rufer (lit. "Caller") is usually called Rufspiel ("Call game") in German, although Normalspiel ("normal game"), Sauspiel ("Sow game") or Partnerspiel ("partnership game") are also encountered.
- ^ Rufsau, lit. "Called Sow".
- ^ It is common for the defenders to lead the called suit in order to 'draw out' the called Ace and establish the partnerships.
- ^ Wenz: pronounced "Vents". Also Bauernwenz or Hauswenz as opposed to Farb-Wenz in which a trump suit is nominated alongside the Unters.
- ^ In the past, a heart solo was sometimes ranked higher that the other suit solos, but that is now uncommon.
- ^ Tout is French for "all"; pronounced Du in Bavarian and "too" in English.
- ^ In the short game, the 4 Obers and 2 top Unters are a Tout; there is no Sie.
- folk etymologicalanalogy with Tout/Du, since Sie is the formal form of the German word du which mean "you" (informal, singular).
- ^ Laufende or Läufer.
- ^ Hadschader. High German: Humpelnde, ("the Hobbled One").
- ^ The token could be e.g. a matchbox, special coin or bottle top.
- ^ In German, short Schafkopf is Kurzer Schafkopf and long Schafkopf is Langer Schafkopf; the short pack is Kurze Karte or Kurzes Blatt and the long pack is Lange Karte or Langes Blatt. Sharp Schafkopf is Scharfer Schafkopf.
References
- ^ Bayerische Kartenspiele: Vom Aussterben bedroht: Retten Sie das Karteln! at www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de. Retrieved 17 August 2018
- ^ Schafkopf Tarock Karten at viertreff.de. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
- ISBN 1-4437-2151-4
- ^ Bauernstoss at pagat.com. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ ISBN 3-924012-31-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Schafkopf Rules of the Bavarian Schafkopf School (Schafkopfregeln der Bayerischen Schafkopfschule), 2007.
- ^ Mensing (1933), p. 279.
- ISBN 0-19-869173-4
- ^ F.W. Grimme: comments to Schwameldirk (En Fastowendstück). In: Schwänke und Gedichte in sauerländischer Mundart, Paderborn 1861, pp. 135/136.
- ^ Freiberger Bier-Comment, Freiberg, 1862, p. 101.
- ^ Schafkopf history from BR-online Archived 2008-09-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rodenberg (1862), p. 298.
- ^ H. Burger, E. Fischer, H. Riehl-Heyse, J. Blaumeiser: Bavaria's Prussians are the best Munich 1979.
- ^ W. Medicus: Die Naturgeschichte nach Wort und Spruch des Volkes Nördlingen 1867, p. 83.
- ^ "Rules and Regulations of Bavarian Schafkopf". Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Deutsches Magazin: ein illustrirtes Familienbuch (1862), Volumes 1-2, p. 298.
- ^ "Geschichte". www.skatfox.com. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Spielkarten Historie at nsv.de. Retrieved 15 June 2022
- ^ G. Hesekiel: Royalisten und Republicaner. Aus der Zeit der französischen Republik. Zweite Abtheilung: Graf Larochejacquelein, Leipzig, 1845, p. 164.
- ^ "Bauernstoss, ein Kartenspiel aus Erfweiler". www.erfweiler2.de. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Hartmann (1780), p.24.
- ^ Karl Ferdinand Hommel: Rhapsodia quaestionum in foro quotidie obunientum, Vol. 3, Bayreuth, 1782, p. 115.
- ^ "Zur Erinnerung" in Der Zuschauer an der Pegnitz (Nürnberg), Vol. 2, No. 1, 2 January 1849, p 12.
- ^ Oberpfälzisches Zeitblatt (Regensburg), 3rd volume, No. 1 date 1 January 1843, p. 375.
- ^ Karl v. Reinhardstöttner: Land und Leute im Bayerischen Walde, 1890, p. 66.
- ^ Schwarzmann (1876), p. 862. The RCB cites the author as J.B.C–. but several later sources cite L. Schwarzmann of Sulzbach.
- ^ a b Jups (1884).
- ^ a b "Geschichte - Schafkopfschule". www.schafkopfschule.de. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Karten-Spiel-Tarif (1876), p. 1.
- ^ Bamberger neueste Nachrichten, 2 January 1880, No. 2, p. 2.
- ^ Oberfränkische Zeitung und Bayreuther Anzeiger., 5 November 1881, p. 2.
- ^ _ (1888). " " in the Münchner neueste Nachrichten. 1 January 1888. p. 4.
- ^ _ (1888). Münchner neueste Nachrichten. 6 January 1888. p. 5.
- ^ _ (1929). Fürstenfeldbrucker Zeitung. 25 October 1929. p. 2.
- ^ "Gück im Kartenspiel" in Münchner neueste Nachrichten, 84th Yr, No. 143, Friday 29 May 1931, p. 2.
- ^ Gregor (1933), p. 13.
- ^ Schaffer (1956), pp. 5–24.
- ^ Lembke (1974), p. 217.
- ^ "Franconian pattern". i-p-c-s.org. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g Merschbacher (2009), pp. 78–86.
- ^ a b Spielregeln für den "unreinen" Schafkopf. at bibel-forum.de. Retrieved 20 April 2022.
- ^ All these variants are covered at Sauspiel [1] and referenced there.
- ^ Claus D. Grupp: Schafkopf, Doppelkopf... u.a. "Lokalspiele", Niedernhausen im Taunus: Falken-Verlag, 1980, p. 40.
- ^ Wiesegger (2021), p. 419.
- ^ "Schafkopfrennen Turniere - Deutscher Schafkopf Verein e.V." www.schafkopfrennen.de. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
- ^ Kurze Karten at sauspiel.de. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
- ^ Frankenpost (Kronach),, dated 7 February 2009.
- ^ Föhr, Andreas. "Schafkopf von Andreas Föhr". Droemer Knaur. Retrieved 2013-12-16.
- ^ Schafkopf – a bissel was geht immer ZDF Retrieved 22 April 2014
- ^ DAS RÄTSELRATEN HAT EIN ENDE at www.oberschneiding.de. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ^ "Guinnessbuch der Rekorde: Der Schafkopf-Weltrekord ist wieder in München". Augsburger Allgemeine. 2013-11-15. Retrieved 2015-01-22.
Bibliography
- _ (1872). Karten-Spiel-Tarif. Würzburg: Stahel.
- Altenburger Spielfabrik, Erweitetes Spielregelbüchlein aus Altenburg, 8th edition, Dresden (1988), pp. 177–180.
- Danyliuk, Rita. 1x1 der Kartenspiele. 19th edition. Hanover: Humboldt (2017), pp. 32–38. ISBN 978-3-86910-367-9
- Danyliuk, Rita (2013). Schafkopf und Doppelkopf - Für Anfänger und Fortgeschrittene. Regeln und Taktik. Praktische Tipps Hanover: Humboldt. ISBN 3-89-994194-2.
- Dillig, Stefan (2020). Schafkopf: Mit Taktik zum Erfolg Band 1. Dillig. ISBN 978-3000556647.
- Gregor, Otto (1933). Der "Bayerische" Schafkopf: Strategie u. Taktik. Münchener Kommissionsbuchh. 64 pp.
- Grupp, Claus D. Doppelkopf Schafkopf. Niedernhausen: Falken (1994). ISBN 3 8068 2015 5.
- Grupp, Claus D. Karten-spiele, Niederhausen: Falken (1975/1979), pp. 111–114. ISBN 3-8068-2001-5.
- Hammer, Paul (1811). Die deutschen Kartenspiele oder Anleitung die üblichen gesellschaftlichen Spiele mit der deutschen Karte als Solo, Kontra, Schafkopf....zu lernen. Leipzig.
- Hartmann, Andreas Gottlieb (1780). Die Dankbare Tochter. Leipzig and Budissin: Deinzer.
- Jedelhauser, Philipp (2018). „Das Schafkopfspiel, Vergnügen und Tradition“, in Burgau aktuell, No. 97, November 2018, pp. 25/26, Accessible in the Internet at Stadtzeitung Burgau aktuell.
- Junker-Latocha, Brian (2023). Schafkopf for Expats and English Speakers. Ahrensburg: Tredition Verlag. ISBN 978-3-384-02767-2.
- Jups. Mangold (1884). Der gewandte Kartenspieler: 2. Der Schaffkopf: ein geistreiches Kartenspiel. Würzburg: Stahel.
- Lembke, Robert(1974). Das Große Haus- und Familienbuch der Spiele. Cologne: Lingen.
- Mensing, Otto (1933). Schleswig-Holsteinisches Wörterbuch, Vol. 4 (Q–S). Neumünster: Wachholtz Verlag.
- Merschbacher, Adam (2009). Schafkopf: Das anspruchsvolle Kartenspiel. Munich: Pliz.
- "Obsis" (1895). Schafkopf-Büchlein - Detailliche Anleitung zum Lernen und Verbessern des Schafkopfspiel mit deutschen Karten, Amberg (Oberpfalz).
- Parlett, David. The Penguin Book of Card Games. London: Penguin (2008), pp. 225–229. ISBN 978-0-141-03787-5.
- Peschel, Wolfgang (1990). Bayerisch Schaffkopfen: Wissenswertes - Humoriges - Offizielle Spielreglen, 2nd edn. Weilheim: Stöppel.
- Rodenburg, Julius (1862). Deutsches Magazin: ein illustrirtes Familienbuch, Vol. 1. Berlin: Oswald Seehagen.
- Schaffer, Georg (1956). Schafkopf und Tarock. Minden (Westphalia): Albrecht Philler.
- Schmeller, Johann Andreas (1837). Bayerisches Wörterbuch Vols. III. and IV., Munich 1837, 2nd edn. 1877 (combined into Vol. 2) by Georg Karl Frommann, p. 378.
- Schwarzmann, L. [J.B.C–.] (1876). "Das edle Schafkopf-Spiel" in Regensburger Conversations-Blatt (Beiblatt zum Regensburger Tagblatt), Nro. 4. Sunday 9 January 1876. Regensburg: J. Reitmayr.
- _ (1843) Bayer. Staatsbibliothek: Oberpfälzisches Zeitblatt, 3rd annual edn., Amberg, Saturday 10 June, p. 375 (in Internet).
- Wiesegger, Johann (2021). Schafkopf: Ein Versuch, Wisssen zu sammeln. Nuremberg.
External links
- Bavarian Schafkopf at pagat.com
- Sauspiel site dedicated to Schafkopf (in German)
- The School of Schafkopf with the official rules (in English and German)
- Traditionelles Stammtisch-Vergnügen - Schafkopfen (in German)
- Anleitung - rules for 'short' Schafkopf (in German)