About the Game

Schnapsen is the sharp two-handed card game of Austria and southern Germany, played with a twenty-card pack. Every point counts: aces and tens carry the deck, a king-and-queen marriage scores in a flash, and daring to close the stock can win the deal outright or hand it to your opponent. The first to 66 takes the deal, and the first to seven game points takes the Bummerl.

Basic Rules

1. 1Schnapsen is a duel for two, played with a twenty-card pack: ace, ten, king, queen and jack in each of the four suits.
2. 2Card values are ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3 and jack 2 — 120 points in all — and the goal of each deal is to be first to reach 66.
3. 3Each player is dealt five cards; the next card is turned up to set the trump suit and the rest form the face-down stock.
4. 4While the stock holds cards you may play anything; once it is empty or closed you must follow suit and win the trick if you can.
5. 5A marriage — the king and queen of one suit — is worth 20 points, or 40 in trumps, and is scored when you lead either of the two cards.
6. 6You may close the stock by turning the trump card face down, wagering that you can reach 66 from your hand before your opponent does.
7. 7Reaching 66 first scores one, two or three game points; the first player to seven game points wins the match, called the Bummerl.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Schnapsen?

Schnapsen is a duel for two, played with a twenty-card pack: ace, ten, king, queen and jack in each of the four suits. Card values are ace 11, ten 10, king 4, queen 3 and jack 2 — 120 points in all — and the goal of each deal is to be first to reach 66. Each player is dealt five cards; the next card is turned up to set the trump suit and the rest form the face-down stock. While the stock holds cards you may play anything; once it is empty or closed you must follow suit and win the trick if you can. A marriage — the king and queen of one suit — is worth 20 points, or 40 in trumps, and is scored when you lead either of the two cards. You may close the stock by turning the trump card face down, wagering that you can reach 66 from your hand before your opponent does. Reaching 66 first scores one, two or three game points; the first player to seven game points wins the match, called the Bummerl.

How many players can play Schnapsen?

2 players

Is Schnapsen free to play on LUDOCCA?

Yes. Schnapsen is free to play on LUDOCCA. Create an account, join a public room, or invite friends to a private match — no download required.

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