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Iltisman

Let's learn how to play Skat!

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Iltisman*SKAT*, a traditional German trick-taking card for three players. In this tutorial, I will demonstrate its rules. Each *GAME* consists of one or more rounds. Each *ROUND* comprises 3 hands being played. Each *HAND* is played in two phases: a bidding process to determine the solo player, and the actual playing of tricks.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanOver the predetermined number of rounds, players accumulate points by winning hands. Ultimately, the player with the highest total points emerges as the winner.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

Iltisman[green][tip] Personal note: Creating tutorials like this demands significant dedication. Please follow through to the end. If you find it helpful, please consider rating it 5 stars. Since BGA mandates a minimum 4.2 rating for tutorials, a 4-star rating is essentially a negative rating. Please bear this in mind when rating any tutorial. Thanks! [/green] 3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanThis tutorial begins with an *overview of the card deck*. We'll temporarily bypass the bidding process and focus on *playing tricks*. Once you understand the mechanics of a hand, it will simplify learning the *bidding process*. Finally, we will cover some *concluding details*.4archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanSkat is a trick-taking card game where each hand consists of 10 cards per player, i.e. 10 tricks. The winner of a hand is not determined by the number of tricks won. Instead, as will be explained in this tutorial, *each trick represents* a certain amount of *points* based on the value of the cards played. As a result, winning just two tricks can sometimes be enough to secure victory in a hand.5archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanIn general, the *winner of a trick is determined by* the following fundamental rules: 1. *Trump cards* (which will be explained shortly) take precedence over non-trump cards. 2. The *general card hierarchy*, as outlined in the upcoming sections, applies. Additionally, *a player must follow suit* if they are able to do so.6archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanIn Skat, the highest cards of the whole deck are the four Jacks, ranked in the following order: [img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img67f7c8704dd138.46077193.jpg[/img][img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img67f7c8717e61d3.89769177.jpg[/img][img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img67f7c8729f3a49.57947352.jpg[/img][img]https://x.boardgamearena.net/data/tutorials/img67f7c873b50704.80518934.jpg[/img] / / *CLUBS* / / *SPADES* / / [red]*HEARTS*[/red] / / [red]*DIAMONDS*[/red] / / !!! *Usually, they are the highest trump cards.*7archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanBesides, the ranking of the other cards descends as follows (without any hierarchy between suits): - Ace - 10 - King - Queen - 9 - 8 - 79archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanAs mentioned, Skat is a trick-taking game; each hand comprises 10 tricks. However, the winner of a hand is not determined by who takes the most tricks. As will be explained in the course of this tutorial, each trick represents points based on the respective cards.10archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanWe skipped the bidding. Marder-Guy will play this hand as the solo player. Accordingly, we must work together with the third player.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanMarder-Guy has chosen clubs as the trump suit. The four Jacks remain the highest cards in the game, and their order does not change, irrespective of the trump suit selected. Thus, even if diamonds are chosen as the trump, the Jack of Clubs retains its status as the highest card. There will be 11 trump cards in total: 4 Jacks, plus 7 remaining club cards.2speechbox_96875973

IltismanEach player has received [red]*10 cards*[/red]. Can you determine the number of trump cards we possess? Correct, we have [green]*four trump cards*[/green]: two jacks and the two lowest-ranking club cards.3myhand_wrap

IltismanMarder-Guy is deemed the dealer of this hand. We are the next player in the turn order and will open the first trick. I won't delve deeply into strategies, but here is some basic guidance:1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanUsually, the solo player possesses the majority of the trump cards. Their strategy typically includes initiating tricks with high trump cards early in the game to exhaust the trump cards of their opponents.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanFor the other two players, the rule of thumb is: - "*short*", when serving to your partner. - "*long*", when serving to your opponent. Both terms refer to the *quantity of cards* one holds at the beginning of the hand, indicating fewer or more, respectively.3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanSince we coop with Nerzboy against Marder-Guy, we should avoid playing a trump card. Furthermore, as Nerzboy is next in the turn order, we should opt for [red]*our shortest suit of cards*[/red]. Please play the [red]*King of Spades*[/red].4myhand_item_29

IltismanOur opponent won this trick with [green]*a trump card*[/green], which tells us they have no spades; otherwise, they would have had to followed suit. Therefore, we can infer that our partner likely has a "long" hand in spades.1cardontable_96875973

IltismanOf the seven spades cards in the deck, two have been played, leaving five unaccounted for. These might be in our partner's hand. Might be? Well, as mentioned, this game uses a French deck of 32 cards, with 30 cards distributed among the players. The fate of the remaining two cards will be revealed in due time.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanAs previously stated, a common strategy for a solo player is to play trump cards early in the game.1cardontable_96875973

IltismanAs stated before, the Jack of Clubs is the highest card in the game. Let's respond with our [red]*lowest trump card*[/red]. Please play the [red]*7 of Clubs*[/red].2myhand_item_20

Iltisman7 of Spades? Apparently, our partner lacks any trump cards to follow suit. We started this hand with 4 out of 11 trump cards. Our opponent secured the first trick with the Ace of Clubs and the second one now with the Jack of Clubs. This leaves him with 5 more trump cards. In Skat, monitoring the cards is crucial.1cardontable_94869901

IltismanWe must follow suit with the 8 of Clubs. However, I assume you've grasped the concept, so let's fast forward a bit.1myhand_item_27

IltismanOur partner played the Ace of Hearts. Since he served to our opponent, this is likely to be a rather long suit of his. The long suit might catch the solo player off guard and potentially give the other player the chance to win this trick with a trump card. Alas, we have many hearts ourselves...1cardontable_94869901

IltismanLet's move to the conclusion of this hand to understand the scoring aspects.2myhand_item_16

IltismanAccording to the logs, our opponent has gathered 78 points. Let's examine the scoring system. Actually, Skat employs two distinct scoring systems: Firstly, there are "*hand points*", which determine the winner of a single hand. Secondly, the actual "*victory points*" are awarded to or withdrawn from the solo player.1log_49

IltismanIn the *hand point system*, cards from the tricks you win give you points as follows: - Ace = 11 points - 10 = 10 points - King = 4 points - Queen = 3 points - Jack = 2 points In total, the deck contains 120 points. Usually, the solo player wins the hand by securing more than half of these points.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanSince Marder-Guy has amassed over 60 hand points with this hand, he will earn victory points for this hand. To determin the amount of victory points for this hand we take a base value according to the trump suit he played: Clubs = 12 Spades = 11 Hearts = 10 Diamonds = 93log_54

IltismanThe base value is multiplied by a factor that largely depends on the number of Jacks the single player started the hand with ... or without. No, this ain't a U2 song. Skat has a very special rule. To determine the factor for the VP we start counting the Jacks top down in strictly consecutive order. So if you have Jack of Clubs, you play "with 1". If you also have Jack of Spades, it's "with 2".4archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanBut if you have Jack of Clubs and e.g. Jack of Hearts and/or Diamonds, it is still "with 1" since Jack of Spades is missing. Same goes the other way: no Jack of Clubs means "without 1". If you also don't happen to have Jack of Spades, continue counting ("without 2"). Else, the line is broken.5archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanMarder-Guy began the game holding only the highest Jack, the Jack of Clubs, and thus he played: - with 1 Furthermore, the solo player always adds 1 for taking the game; so we continuing the count: - with 1 - game 26archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanAs indicated by the logs, this hand has earned Marder-Guy: - With 1 - Game 2 - times 12 for clubs 2 x 12 equals 24 Victory Points (as stated in the logs).7log_50

IltismanThe second hand has been dealt... Unfortunately, it doesn't present a good opportunity for us, so we will skip ahead once more to the third hand.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanIt's time for the third hand. Please close the score display on your screen first. Then we can proceed.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanThis time, our hand appears much more promising. Let's see if we can succeed in the bidding process. However, there is a crucial rule for bidding. We can only bid up to the amount that the game would award us in victory points. At present, we would play: - with 1 (as we hold the Jack of Clubs) - game 2 - multiplied by the value of our chosen trump suit.2myhand_wrap

IltismanCurrently, I am inclined to play this hand with either diamonds or hearts. Choosing diamonds would yield a potential VP of 18 (2 x 9). Opting for hearts would result in a VP of 20 (2 x 10). Therefore, the minimum threshold for bidding should be 18. Let's offer 18!3button_offer

IltismanWe won the bid at 18. Remember when I mentioned that 30 cards had been dealt to the players and two were missing? *Introducing the SKAT (displayed below your hand)!* These two cards belong to the solo player and contribute to their hand points. The solo player can pick up the Skat and may exchange one or both of these cards with those from their hand, or decide to leave the Skat unchanged.1archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanWe are given the chance to pick it up or leave it unseen. One way or the other, those cards do now belong to us as solo player Let's *pick it up*!2button_take

IltismanThe Skat included the 10 of Hearts and the King of Spades. We must now choose two cards to return to the Skat. Although it may seem straightforward, this decision presents numerous strategic opportunities. I will not delve into extensive detail, but here are some common considerations:1log_69

IltismanA common strategy is to narrow your hand down to two or three suits. For example, you might place the 8 and King of Spades into the skat, aiming to "capture" the 10 and Ace of Spades with a trump card. Another approach can sometimes be to secure lots of points. For example you could save 10 and Ace of hearts for 21 hand points right from the start.2myhand_item_9

IltismanOne way or another, this question is intertwined with the question what game you would like to play. Usually you would try to play with as many trump cards as possible, which would be hearts. Yet, since our hand contains lots of strength in hearts and clubs, i would choose diamonds in this case. Mind the risk that trump cards might not be equally divided among the other two players.3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanLet's give it a try. Please select King of Spades and 8 of Spades. Then click the Remove button at the top of the screen. Yet, there is a bug. So hit continue instead.6myhand_item_9

IltismanBefore we select Diamonds, mind that there is 7 potential options to select from. Apart from the 4 suits of cards, remind me to tell you about Grand and Null at the end of this tutorial. For now, please choose Diamonds and *Play the selected game*1popin_myDialogUniqueId

IltismanMarder-Guy is Forehand and will therefore start the first trick of this hand.1playertablecard_96875973

IltismanKing of Clubs... probably his long suit. Anyways, we have to follow suit. Hope for the best... We will play the Ace of Clubs. Once again, there is a bug. But it will work in your game.1cardontable_96875973

IltismanLucky us or maybe it wasn't his long suit in the first place.1cardontable_94869901

IltismanSometimes, to know if the stove is hot, you must touch it. Let's assess the lay of the land. We could play a low trump card and save the highest for later. However, I recommend going all in. If one of them holds only the 10 or Ace of Diamonds, we might still get lucky. Select the Jack of Clubs, please.2myhand_item_12

IltismanThe bad news is that we didn't score many points with this trick. The good news is that there's a high probability that each of them has another trump card.1playertables

IltismanWe could continue playing this game and likely win. However, you're now familiar with the game's mechanics; the rest comes down to experience. There are just a few final remarks.2archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanFirst, remember that if you win the bid, your hand must score at least as many victory points as your final bid. For instance, if your winning bid was 24, considering a game with the Jack of Clubs and Clubs as the trump suit (2 x 12 = 24), opting to play a game with hearts (2 x 10 = 20) could still result in losing the game, even if you secure +60 points with the hand.3archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanSecondly, the number of victory points, and thus the bidding, is affected by the number of Jacks in your initial hand. Keep in mind that any Jack in the Skat counts towards this total *even if you choose not to pick it up*. As a result, a high bid "without 4" that appeared reasonable at first can be completely altered by one or two Jacks in the Skat.4archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanThirdly, besides the Jacks, the VP multiplier may be affected in other ways. Notably: - Winning with more than 90 hand points (aka Schneider; an additional +1 if declared beforehand) - Winning all tricks (aka Schwarz; an additional +1 if declared beforehand) - Not using the Skat (aka playing Hand; an additional +1 for playing with open cards, known as Hand Ouvert)8archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanFinally, two additional options for the solo player are worth mentioning beyond selecting "Diamonds," "Hearts," "Spades," or "Clubs" as the trump suit. Alternatively, the player can: - Choose to play "Grand," which means that only Jacks are considered trump cards. - Opt to play "Null," if the solo player's confident in losing every single trick. For a null play, Jacks are ranking below Queens.9archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

IltismanThis tutorial has now concluded. Thank you for staying with me until the end. Enjoy!10archivecontrol_editmode_centercomment

Iltisman

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Note on bidding: Usually, in Skat players go through all possible bid values, and the next possible bid has already been set for you automatically. Thus bidding is easy and can be done by just using the two buttons in the top bar. As it is not forbidden to skip some steps, players are allowed to adjust their bid by clicking the buttons below. These skip 1 or 10 steps in bidding order. Only valid bids are generated; the lowest bid is 18, the highest possible bid is 264. Even if you don't need to calculate the values on your own, it is helpful to understand how bidding works.

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Skat

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