zoom_in Click to enlarge

Sheepshead

▲ ▼

description Sheepshead Overview

Sheepshead is an American trick-taking card game descended from the German game Schafkopf and strongly associated with Wisconsin. It is commonly played by five people using a 32-card deck containing the seven through ace of each suit, although versions for other player counts exist. Queens and jacks form the highest trumps, followed by the remaining diamonds, and players compete as a picker-led partnership against the opposing side to capture cards carrying point values.

help Sheepshead FAQ

What is the card game Sheepshead?

Sheepshead is an American trick-taking card game derived from the German game Schafkopf. It is heavily played in Wisconsin communities and typically uses a 32-card deck.

How many people do you need to play Sheepshead?

The most popular version is a five-player format where two players are designated as the "pickers" and three are the "defenders." Variations for three, four, or six players also exist, but the five-player version is the standard in Wisconsin.

How is Sheepshead related to the German game Schafkopf?

Sheepshead is the Americanized version of the traditional Bavarian card game Schafkopf. It was brought to the United States by German immigrants in the 19th century, where it evolved its own distinct rules, particularly in the Midwest.

What are the trump cards in a standard game of Sheepshead?

In the standard American rules, all the Queens and Jacks are the trump cards, making them the highest-ranking cards in the game. The Queen of Clubs is the absolute highest card, followed by the Queen of Spades, Queen of Hearts, and Queen of Diamonds.

swap_horiz

Looking for Sheepshead alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward