When doing this, if multiple cards of the same rank are cut, the cards are further ranked by suit, using the suit ranking described above. With Skat there are a number of methods for determining the first dealer, with cutting for low card the most common method. Thus, these cards can be played at any time a card of the trump suit could legally be played. The four Jacks as described are considered to be members of the Trump suit, irregardless of the actual suit marked on that card. The ranking for the three non-trump suits would also rank similarly Ace, 10, King, Queen, 9, 8, 7. Since the Jacks are a permanent part of the trump suit, the remaining cards of the trump suit would then rank as follows Ace, 10, King, Queen, 9, 8, 7. When a trump suit is used, the top four ranked cards of the Trump suit will always be as follows: Jack of Clubs, Jack of Spades, Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds. In most hands, a trump suit will also be designated by the highest bidder. The ranking of these suits, from high to low is: (For the German Deck Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, Bells) (In the French Deck Clubs, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds). In addition, the four suits also have their own ranking with regards to the bidding. If the French deck is being used, the cards in each suit are ranked as follows (from high to low): Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack, 9, 8, 7. If the authentic German pack is being used for the game, the rank of the cards is as follows Ace, 10, King, Over Knave, Under Knave, 9, 8, 7.

The Spades ( ♠) are colored green, the Diamonds ( ♦) yellow, the Clubs (♣) are the expected black and Hearts ( ♥) are red. This usually consists of special coloration of the four standard suits. Oftentimes, even the French decks used for traditional Skat are customized to some degree. Thus, this Skat deck consists of one card of the denominations 7 through Ace in each of the four suits. When using a French deck, it can be created from a standard deck stripped of all cards lower than 7. However, a standard French deck can, and often is, used to play. In this deck, the Face cards consist of an Under Knave (marked with a U), Over Knave (indicated by a O), King (K) and Ace (A), one in each suit. Another difference in this German pack, is the Royalty or Face cards. However, the four suits in a German deck are as follows Acorns, Leaves, Hearts and Bells. Like the familiar French deck, the German deck is comprised of four suits. The game is played using a 32 card German deck, traditionally using a pack of German playing cards. As the deal rotates each hand, when four play, each player will sit out one of every four hands. When played by four, the fourth player usually takes the part of the dealer and does not take part in the actual play of the hand. However, the game is also often played by 4 players with 3 players active in each hand. Skat is a trick-taking card game designed for 3 players. For the rules of the somewhat modified version of Skat played in North American Skat clubs and elsewhere, please see our rules page for North American Skat. The rules given on this page are for the standard German version, also sometimes called International Skat. Being great fun and highly strategic it is not hard to understand why Skat is not only the national card game in that country but very popular in many other countries as well. The origins of International Skat (and thus it's variations) can be traced back to a card club inĪltenburg, Germany in approximately 1810. Since its development in the early 1800's, Skat was and still is, the most popular card game played in Germany and many other German speaking locales.

Skat card game