

In the former version, the holder of the jack of diamonds is automatically the picker's partner. Two methods of selecting a partner are common: "jack of diamonds" and "called ace". If no one picks the blind, table rules specify whether to play a least or to declare a doubler and deal a new hand (see variations). If aces, tens, or face cards are buried, their points count as a head start toward the goal of 61. The picker may exchange the blind cards for some of those dealt, but must "bury" the same number of cards. In any case, a player who feels particularly skilful, lucky, or reckless may opt to play without the assistance of a partner. In four-handed play, table rules specify whether the picker may have a partner or must play alone against the other three. In five-handed games, the picker identifies a partner, and they play two-against-three. In three-handed games, the picker plays alone against the other two, who play in a team. Picking up the blind signifies that one intends to challenge the other players. Starting with the player at the dealer's left and circling the table clockwise, each player has the opportunity to "pick", that is, to pick up the blind cards. It is considered poor form to deal the blind from the bottom of the deck. It is customary to deal the cards two or three at a time, dealing the "blind" cards between rounds. The remaining two cards (or four in four-handed) are called the "blind" (Hoyle calls it the "widow"). Three players should be dealt 10 cards, four players seven cards each and five players six cards each. The 32 cards are dealt so that each player receives an equal number, with a few cards reserved. If the challenger loses, however, the "defensive" players gain twice as many points, in recognition of their upset victory. If that player is successful the losers sacrifice points to the challenger. One player challenges the others, declaring intent to take tricks worth 61 points or more. After dealing a new hand, players establish roles that are essentially offensive and defensive. the majority of the points in the deck, during the play of each hand. The object of the game is to capture tricks containing 61 points or more, i.e. Thus there is a total of 120 points in the deck. The aces, tens and face cards have point values associated with them. (this rank ordering is used in some other card games of German origin as well.) The six cards in each fail suit are ranked like the six lowest diamonds: The trump cards are ranked from highest to lowest as follows: The remaining six hearts, clubs and spades are known as the "fail" suits. The trump suit contains the four queens, the four jacks, and the remaining diamonds. Fourteen cards are designated as a fixed trump suit. A sheepshead deck contains 32 cards the 2-6 of all four suits are removed.
#Hearts card game rules hoyle full
Sheepshead players never play with a full deck. Here in Milwaukee, a five-handed version seems to be the most popular.Įssential (and Common) Rules First, the Deck Hoyle only describes the three-handed game, which may mean that it is the original. Sheepshead is typically played with three to five players, although two-, six-, and even seven-player versions exist. Indeed, sitting down to a game of Sheepshead often involves negotiating table rules, much like poker. I have corrected a couple of typos and added a few comments of my own in square brackets and italics.Īccording to Hoyle (cl963), "schafkopf" (German for sheepshead) is "an old Middle European game" which has "continued to be played under a variety of rules". The text below is more or less a copy of Eric Bushnell's sheepshead page (version of 20th Sep 1995), which was formerly available at but disappeared in late 1997 and is reproduced here with his permission. Sheepshead, according to Hoyle, Bushnell, and most of Milwaukee, WI
#Hearts card game rules hoyle archive
An archive copy of Stephen Blessing's former Sheepshead Page, with rules for five player Sheepshead.Rules for other forms of Sheepshead can be found at: In his book Wergin on Skat and Sheepshead (1975), Joe Wergin describes varieties of Sheepshead for three, four and five players. Sheepshead is the American form of the German game Schafkopf.
