
- BGG rank
- BGG #1,170
- BGG rating
- 7.5
Bridge
- 4 players
- 60 min
- Complexity 3.9/5
- 1925

1780
Rules assistance for Schafkopf
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
For 4 players

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Schafkopf is a board game released in 1780 for 4 players, 30 minutes per game, and ages 7 and up. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Team-Based Game, and Communication Limits.
Traditional German card game played with a Bavarian 32 card deck. Similar to Skat but simpler bidding and scoring rules. Can also be played with a traditional French-suited 52 card deck by removing the 2-6 of each suit. Players either play in teams ("I'll play with the Ace of Leaves"), or one player decides to play a solo (worth more points) against the other 3 players. Typically played for money. Sheepshead The Americanized version is known as Sheepshead. This is one of the few traditional card games with a hidden partner. There are two well known variants with devotees of each. Jack of Diamonds is a random partner method where the picker receives a partner without needing to call or lead a suit. The picker can still choose to "go it alone", but needs to declare before the hand begins. In Called Ace, the picker calls out a suit before the hand begins. Who ever has the ace of the called suit becomes the partner and can play appropriately. However, when the called suit is lead both the picker and the partner must play the called suit. Because of this the picker can only call a non-trump suit they have in their hand. A large glossary of terms accompanies the game. Terms like smear, leaster, schneider, burying the called suit/ace, etc. Yahoo games includes free online play for those interested in learning the game.
Schafkopf supports 4 players according to the catalogue. This is the publisher’s listed player count, so the game is designed for exactly that number of participants. Variants for other group sizes, if any, are described in the rulebook of your edition, so check it before setting up a different configuration.
The listed playing time for Schafkopf is 30 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Schafkopf for ages 7 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Schafkopf has a complexity rating of 2.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Schafkopf belongs to these categories: Card Game. Its main mechanics are Auction / Bidding, Team-Based Game, and Communication Limits. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists Schafkopf as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.