How to play Sheepshead

Objective

The picker and partner try to capture more than half of the deck's 120 card points.

Setup

1. 1

   Use A, 10, K, Q, J, 9, 8, and 7 of each suit.

2. 2

   For five players deal six each and place two in the blind.

How play works

1. 1

   The picker takes the blind, buries two cards, and commonly calls an ace suit to identify a partner.

2. 2

   All queens rank above all jacks; remaining diamonds follow as trumps in the common Wisconsin game.

3. 3

   Follow suit as defined by the trump structure. Highest trump or led-suit card wins.

Scoring and winning

1. 1

   Aces count 11, tens 10, kings 4, queens 3, and jacks 2.

2. 2

   Game points depend on whether the picker side reaches 61, 91, or all 120 card points.

Rules to settle before play

1. 1

   Three-, four-, and five-player tables use different partnership and blind rules.

2. 2

   House rules for leasters, crack, blitzing, and doubler should be set first.