World of Play
Back to all games

Skat

Skat
PLAYERS
3 (with a fourth sitting out in rotation if 4 are present)
DIFFICULTY
SETTING
Indoor
MATERIALS
HOW TO PLAY
1

Deal 10 cards to each of the three players, with 2 extra cards set aside face down as the "skat."

2

Players bid for the right to become the sole attacker against the other two, based on the value of a game type they intend to play.

3

The winning bidder picks up the skat cards, discards two cards from their hand, then announces the game type: a suit trump, no-trump, or grand.

4

Play proceeds in tricks, following suit when possible, with the attacker trying to score enough card points against the combined defenders.

5

Card values are added up at the end of the hand; the attacker generally needs a majority, over 60 of 120 points, to succeed.

6

Score is tracked across many hands, rotating the dealer and attacker roles.