Schnapsen - Quick Rules

Overview

• Players: 2 players.
• Deck: 20 cards (Ace, 10, King, Queen, Jack in four suits).
• Objective: Be the first to reach 66 card points through tricks and announcements, or win the very last trick.

Card Values

• Ace: 11 points
• Ten: 10 points
• King: 4 points
• Queen: 3 points
• Jack: 2 points

Gameplay

Each player is dealt 5 cards. One card is placed face-up under the stock (Talon); its suit is the trump suit.

1. Trick-taking: The non-dealer leads the first card. As long as the stock is not empty or "closed," there is no requirement to follow suit. The higher card of the suit led or a trump wins the trick.
2. Drawing: After each trick, both players draw a card from the stock (winner first).
3. Announcements (Marriages): If you hold the King and Queen of the same suit, you can announce them when leading one of them (20 points; 40 points in trumps). Points only count if the player wins at least one trick.

Special Actions

• Exchanging (Robbing): If you hold the Trump Jack, you may swap it for the face-up trump card under the stock (if it is your turn to lead).
• Closing the Stock: If a player believes they can reach 66 points without drawing more cards, they can "close" the stock. From this moment on, players must follow suit and win the trick if possible.

Scoring

The round ends as soon as a player reaches 66 points or the last trick is taken. The winner earns game points:

• 3 points: If the opponent has no tricks.
• 2 points: If the opponent has fewer than 33 points (Schneider).
• 1 point: If the opponent has 33 or more points.

The overall goal is to count down from 7 points to 0.