Schnapsen: A Classic Card Game from Central Europe
If you are looking for a card game that is fun, challenging, and has a rich history, you might want to try Schnapsen. Schnapsen is a two-player trick-taking game that is very popular in Austria, Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, and other countries in Central Europe. It is also known by other names such as Sixty-Six, 66, Santase, Bummerl, Snapszer, Šnops, and more. In this article, we will explore the history, rules, strategy, and online options of this classic card game.
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The History of Schnapsen
The origin of Schnapsen is not clear, but it is believed to be related to an older French game called Mariage or Bézique, which was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. The name Schnapsen comes from the German word schnappen, which means "to trump". Some people also think that the name is derived from schnaps, a type of alcoholic drink that was often used as a stake in the game.
Schnapsen became very popular in Austria and Hungary in the 19th century, especially among the nobility and the military. It was also played in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Croatia, Slovakia, and Italy. It was considered a game of skill and strategy, as well as a social activity. Many variations of the game developed over time, such as Bauernschnapsen (Farmer's Schnapsen), Sechsundsechzig (Sixty-Six), or Preisschnapsen (Prize Schnapsen).
Today, Schnapsen is still widely played in Central Europe, both at home and in pubs. It is also recognized as the national card game of Austria and Hungary. It has also gained popularity online, where players can compete against each other or against the computer.
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The Rules of Schnapsen
Schnapsen is played with a 20-card deck, consisting of four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs) with five cards each (Ace, Ten, King, Queen, Jack). The cards have different point values as follows:
CardPoint Value
Ace11 points
Ten10 points
King4 points
Queen3 points
Jack2 points
The total value of the cards in the deck is 120 points. The aim of the game is to score 66 points or more by winning tricks and declaring marriages. A trick is a round of play where each player plays one card and the higher card wins. A marriage is a combination of a King and a Queen of the same suit, which can be declared for extra points.
The Aim of the Game
The game is played by two players, who sit opposite each other. The player who cuts the higher card is the dealer, and the other player is the forehand. The dealer shuffles and deals three cards to each player, then turns up the next card and places it on the table. This card determines the trump suit for the game. The trump suit is the most powerful suit, and any trump card can beat any non-trump card. The remaining cards are placed face down on top of the trump card, forming the stock or talon.
The forehand starts the game by playing any card from their hand. The dealer then plays a card from their hand, following suit if possible. If they cannot follow suit, they can play any card, including a trump card. The player who plays the higher card of the same suit or the higher trump card wins the trick and takes both cards. The winner of the trick then draws a card from the stock, followed by the loser. The winner of the trick also leads the next trick.
The game continues until one of the following events happens:
One player scores 66 points or more by winning tricks and declaring marriages. This player announces "out" or "66" and wins the game.
One player closes the stock by taking the face-up trump card and placing it face down on their pile of won cards. This means that no more cards can be drawn from the stock, and the players must follow suit and trump if they cannot follow suit. The player who closes the stock must score 66 points or more before their opponent wins another trick, otherwise they lose the game.
The stock runs out and both players have played all their cards. The player who wins the last trick scores 10 bonus points and wins the game if they have more points than their opponent.
The winner of the game scores one or more game points, depending on how many points their opponent had when they won:
Opponent's PointsGame Points
0-323
33-652
66 or more1
Closed but failed-3 (to opponent)
The first player to score 7 or more game points wins the match.
The Cards and the Dealing
Schnapsen is played with a 20-card deck, consisting of four suits (Hearts, Diamonds, Spades, Clubs) with five cards each (Ace, Ten, King, Queen, Jack). The cards have different point values as follows:
CardPoint Value
Ace11 points
Ten10 points
King4 points
Queen3 points
Jack2 points
The total value of the cards in the deck is 120 points. The aim of the game is to score 66 points or more by winning tricks and declaring marriages. A trick is a round of play where each player plays one card and the higher card wins. A marriage is a combination of a King and a Queen of the same suit, which can be declared for extra points.
The game is played by two players, who sit opposite each other. The player who cuts the higher card is the dealer, and the other player is the forehand. The dealer shuffles and deals three cards to each player, then turns up the next card and places it on the table. This card determines the trump suit for the game. The trump suit is the most powerful suit, and any trump card can beat any non-trump card. The remaining cards are placed face down on top of the trump card, forming the stock or talon.
The Playing and the Tricks
The forehand starts the game by playing any card from their hand. The dealer then plays a card from their hand, following suit if possible. If they cannot follow suit, they can play any card, including a trump card. The player who plays the higher card of the same suit or the higher trump card wins the trick and takes both cards. The winner of the trick then draws a card from the stock, followed by the loser. The winner of the trick also leads the next trick.
The players must follow these rules when playing a card:
If they have a card of the same suit as the led card, they must play it (following suit).
If they do not have a card of the same suit as the led card, they can play any card, including a trump card (discarding or trumping).
If they have a trump card that is higher than the highest trump card on the table, they must play it (overtrumping).
If they have more than one card of the same suit as the led card, they can choose which one to play (underplaying).
The player who wins the trick scores the point value of both cards. For example, if a player wins a trick with an Ace and a Ten, they score 21 points.
The Marriages and the Trump Jack
A marriage is a combination of a King and a Queen of the same suit, which can be declared for extra points. A marriage can be declared by either player when they have both cards in their hand and they are leading a trick. The player must play either the King or the Queen and announce "marriage" or "40" if it is in the trump suit, or "20" if it is in any other suit. The player then scores 40 or 20 points respectively, in addition to any points from winning tricks.
A marriage can only be declared once per suit per game. If a player has more than one marriage in their hand, they can only declare one at a time. A marriage cannot be declared after the stock is closed or after one player announces 66 points.
The trump Jack is a special card that can be exchanged for the face-up trump card on top of the stock. This can only be done by either player when they have won a trick and are about to draw a card from the stock. The player must show the trump Jack to their opponent and place it face down on their pile of won cards. The player then takes the face-up trump card and adds it to their hand. This can only be done once per game, and only before the stock is closed or one player announces 66 points.
The exchange of the trump Jack can be very beneficial for the player, as it gives them an extra trump card and reduces the number of trumps in the stock. It also allows them to declare a marriage in the trump suit if they have the trump King or Queen in their hand.
The Closing and the Last Trick
One of the most important decisions in Schnapsen is when to close the stock. This can only be done by either player when they have won a trick and are about to draw a card from the stock. The player must take the face-up trump card and place it face down on their pile of won cards, announcing "close" or "zudrehen". This means that no more cards can be drawn from the stock, and the game enters the final phase.
After the stock is closed, the players must follow these rules when playing a card:
If they have a card of the same suit as the led card, they must play it (following suit).
If they do not have a card of the same suit as the led card, they must play a trump card if they have one (trumping).
If they do not have a card of the same suit or a trump card, they can play any card (discarding).
The player who closes the stock must score 66 points or more before their opponent wins another trick, otherwise they lose the game. The player who closes the stock cannot declare any marriages or exchange the trump Jack after closing. The player who closes the stock also cannot announce 66 points until they win another trick after closing.
The last trick is very important in Schnapsen, as it can decide the outcome of the game. The player who wins the last trick scores 10 bonus points, which can make a difference between winning and losing. Therefore, it is advisable to save a high card or a trump card for the last trick, especially if the game is close.
The Strategy of Schnapsen
Schnapsen is not only a game of luck, but also a game of skill and strategy. There are many factors that influence the outcome of the game, such as the cards, the trump suit, the score, the stock, and the opponent's behavior. Here are some general tips and tricks that can help you improve your skills and win more games:
The Planning and the Counting
Before you play a card, you should always have a game plan in mind. You should consider your goals, your options, and your risks. You should also try to anticipate your opponent's moves and reactions. You should ask yourself questions such as:
How many points do I have and how many do I need to win?
How many points does my opponent have and how many do they need to win?
What is the trump suit and how many trumps do I have?
What are the chances of drawing a good card from the stock?
Should I declare a marriage or exchange the trump Jack?
Should I close the stock or wait for a better opportunity?
What cards are left in the stock and what cards are likely in my opponent's hand?
To answer these questions, you need to count the points and the cards. You should keep track of how many points you and your opponent have scored, and how many points are left in the stock. You should also remember which cards have been played and which cards are still in the game. This will help you estimate the probabilities of drawing a good card or winning a trick.
Counting the points and the cards is not easy, but it is essential for playing Schnapsen well. You can use some tricks to make it easier, such as grouping the cards by suit and value, or using mnemonics to remember them. You can also practice counting by playing online or against the computer, where you can see the points and the cards at any time.
The Leading and the Following
Another important aspect of Schnapsen strategy is choosing which card to play first or second. This depends on whether you are leading or following a trick, and whether the stock is open or closed. Here are some general guidelines for leading and following:
If you are leading a trick and the stock is open, you should play a low card of a non-trump suit, preferably one that you have a marriage in. This will allow you to draw a card from the stock, declare your marriage, and score points. You should avoid playing a high card or a trump card, as this will give your opponent a chance to win the trick and draw a card.
If you are following a trick and the stock is open, you should play a card that will win the trick if possible, or at least match the point value of your opponent's card. This will prevent your opponent from drawing a card from the stock and scoring points. You should avoid playing a low card or a trump card, as this will give your opponent an advantage.
If you are leading a trick and the stock is closed, you should play a high card or a trump card, preferably one that you have a marriage in. This will force your opponent to follow suit or trump, and reduce their chances of winning tricks and scoring points. You should avoid playing a low card or a non-trump card, as this will give your opponent an opportunity to discard or trump.
If you are following a trick and the stock is closed, you should play a card that will win the trick if possible, or at least minimize the point difference with your opponent's card. This will increase your chances of scoring points and reaching 66 before your opponent. You should avoid playing a card that will lose the trick by a large margin, as this will give your opponent an edge.
Of course, these are not absolute rules, but rather general principles. You should always adapt your strategy according to the situation and your opponent's behavior. Sometimes, it may be better to play differently than what is suggested above, depending on your goals, your options, and your risks.
The Closing and the Going Out
The final aspect of Schnapsen strategy is knowing when to close the stock or announce 66 points. These are crucial decisions that can make or break your game. Here are some tips for closing and going out:
You should close the stock when you have a strong hand with high cards, trumps, and marriages, and when you have a clear lead over your opponent. You should also close the stock when you have enough points to win the game without drawing any more cards from the stock.
You should not close the stock when you have a weak hand with low cards, non-trumps, and no marriages, and when you are behind or tied with your opponent. You should also not close the stock when you are not sure if you have enough points to win the game or if your opponent has a better hand than you.
You should announce 66 points when you have scored 66 points or more by winning tricks and declaring marriages, and when you are sure that your opponent cannot catch up with you. You should also announce 66 points when you have a marriage in your hand that will give you enough points to win the game.
You should not announce 66 points when you have scored less than 66 points or when you are not sure if you have scored enough points to win the game. You should also not announce 66 points when your opponent has a chance to score more points than you by winning tricks or declaring marriages.
Again, these are not absolute rules, but rather general guidelines. You should always use your judgment and intuition to decide when to close the stock or announce 66 points. Sometimes, it may be better to wait for a better opportunity or to bluff your opponent than to act too soon or too late.
The Online Schnapsen
If you want to play Schnapsen online, you have many options to choose from. You can play Schnapsen online with other players or against the computer, for free or for real money, on various apps and websites. Here are some of the best options to play Schnapsen online:
The Apps and the Websites
One of the most popular apps to play Schnapsen online is Bummerl, which is available for Android and iOS devices. Bummerl allows you to play Schnapsen with other players from around the world, or against the computer in different difficulty levels. You can also chat with other players, customize your avatar, and join clubs and leagues. Bummerl is free to download and play, but you can also buy coins and gems to unlock more features and benefits.
Another popular app to play Schnapsen online is Schnopsn, which is also available for Android and iOS devices. Schnopsn lets you play Schnapsen with other players online, or against the computer in different modes. You can also chat with other players, earn trophies and achievements, and join tournaments and leaderboards. Schnopsn is free to download and play, but you can also buy coins and diamonds to access more options and rewards.
If you prefer to play Schnapsen online on your browser, you can visit GameTwist, which is one of the largest online gaming platforms in Europe. GameTwist offers a variety of card games, including Schnapsen, Sixty-Six, Bauernschnapsen, and more. You can play Schnapsen with other players online, or against the computer in different skill levels. You can also chat with other players, collect bonuses and prizes, and join tournaments and rankings. GameTwist is free to register and play, but you can also buy twists (the virtual currency) to enjoy more features and benefits.
The Tournaments and the Community
If you want to take your online Schnapsen experience to the next level, you can join Schnapsen tournaments and interact with other players online. There are many online platforms and communities that organize Schnapsen tournaments regularly, where you can compete against other players for fun or for prizes. Some of the most popular platforms and communities for online Schnapsen tournaments are:
Schnapser.com: This is a website that hosts weekly Schnapsen tournaments for players from all over the world. You can register for free and join the tournaments by paying a small entry fee. The tournaments are played in a knockout format, where the winner of each match advances to the next round until there is only one champion. The prizes vary depending on the number of participants and sponsors.
Schnopsn Online: This is a Facebook group that organizes monthly Schnapsen tournaments for players who use the Schnopsn app. You can join the group for free and sign up for the tournaments by paying a small entry fee. The tournaments are played in a Swiss system format, where each player plays a fixed number of matches against different opponents. The prizes include coins, diamonds, trophies, and vouchers.
Bummerl Club: This is a club that is part of the Bummerl app, where you can join exclusive Schnapsen tournaments for club members only. You can join the club by paying a monthly or yearly subscription fee, which gives you access to unlimited club tournaments and other benefits. The club tournaments are played in a round-robin format, where each player plays one match against every other player in their group. The prizes include coins, gems, medals, and badges.
Conclusion
Schnapsen is a classic card game from Central Europe that is fun , challenging, and has a rich history. It is played with a 20-card deck, where the aim is to score 66 points or more by winning tricks and declaring marriages. It involves a lot of skill and strategy, as well as luck and bluffing. It can also be played online, where you can find many apps, websites, tournaments, and communities to enjoy this game with other players from around the world.
If you are interested in learning more about Schnapsen, you can visit some of the following resources:
[Schnapsen Rules]: This is a website that explains the rules of Schnapsen in detail, with examples and illustrations.
[Schnapsen Strategy]: This is a blog post that gives some tips and tricks for improving your Schnapsen skills and strategy.
[Schnapsen Videos]: This is a YouTube channel that features videos of Schnapsen games, tutorials, and commentary.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about Schnapsen. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might also like this game. And if you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Schnapsen:
Q: How do you pronounce Schnapsen?
A: Schnapsen is pronounced as "shnup-sen", with a short "u" sound and a soft "s" sound.
Q: What is the difference between Schnapsen and Sixty-Six?
A: Schnapsen and Sixty-Six are very similar games, but they have some differences in the rules. For example, Sixty-Six is played with a 24-card deck instead of a 20-card deck, and the point values of the cards are different. Also, in Sixty-Six, you can only declare a marriage when you are leading a trick, and you can only close the stock when you have won the first trick.
Q: How do you score a game of Schnapsen?
A: You score a game of Schnapsen by counting the point value of the cards that you have won in tricks and declared in marriages. You also score 10 bonus points if you win the last trick. The first player to score 66 points or more wins the game. The winner of the game scores one or more game points, depending on how many points their opponent had when they won. The first player to score 7 or more game points wins the match.
Q: How do you close the stock in Schnapsen?
A: You close the stock in Schnapsen by taking the face-up trump card and placing it face down on your pile of won cards, announcing "close" or "zudrehen". This means that no more cards can be drawn from the stock, and the players must follow suit and trump if they cannot follow suit. The player who closes the stock must score 66 points or more before their opponent wins another trick, otherwise they lose the game.
Q: How do you exchange the trump Jack in Schnapsen?
A: You exchange the trump Jack in Schnapsen by showing it to your opponent and placing it face down on your pile of won cards. You then take the face-up trump card and add it to your hand. This can only be done by either player when they have won a trick and are about to draw a card from the stock. This can only be done once per game, and only before the stock is closed or one player announces 66 points.
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