Sheepshead: Play Online for Free (Solo & Multiplayer)

Sheepshead is a classic trick-taking game of German origin, played by 4 players. Unlike games such as Euchre or Spades, Sheepshead features a permanent trump suit containing all Queens, all Jacks, and all Diamonds. This unique trump structure, combined with secret partnerships and point-based scoring, creates a strategic and engaging game.

The game is free to play and can be played online. No download or registration is required! You can play solo against our bots, join tables with other players online, or create a private table to play with friends and family. So start up a game and let the fun begin!

Rules

We've summarized the rules below in case you need a refresher. If you aren't familiar with the game, we have a full explanation of how to play Sheepshead that we suggest you go through. It even includes an interactive tutorial that'll guide you through the game.

Sheepshead uses a 32-card deck (7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A of each suit). The game has a permanent trump suit of 14 cards: all Queens, all Jacks, and all Diamonds, ranked Queen of Clubs (highest) down to 7 of Diamonds (lowest).

Each player is dealt 7 cards, with 4 cards forming a blind. Players bid to pick the blind by declaring whether they want to be the picker. The picker takes the blind, buries 4 cards, and calls a partner by naming an Ace of a fail suit (Clubs, Spades, or Hearts). The partner's identity stays hidden until the called Ace is played.

Cards have point values: Aces (11), 10s (10), Kings (4), Queens (3), and Jacks (2), totaling 120 points. The picker's team must capture at least 61 points to win. Players must follow suit (remembering that all Queens, Jacks, and Diamonds are trump). Scoring is cumulative: winners gain points while losers lose points, with bonuses for schneider (91+ points) and schwarz (all tricks).

Strategy

Sheepshead is a game of card counting, partnership cooperation, and careful calculation. Success requires accurately assessing your hand strength, identifying your hidden partner through careful observation, and counting both tricks and card points to reach the 61-point goal.

We've outlined key strategic principles below. Master these fundamentals to improve your game:

Picking the Blind:

• Pick when you have 3 or more Queens or high trump cards (Queens and Jacks).
• Consider picking with strong fail suit Aces, as they can capture valuable points (11 points each).
• Avoid picking with weak hands—if you pick and lose, you lose double points.
• The blind can strengthen your hand, but it can also disappoint. Pick conservatively if you're in an early position.

Burying Cards:

• Bury point cards if you're confident you'll win. They count toward your 61-point goal.
• Don't bury trump cards unless you have many extras—you'll need them to win tricks.
• Avoid burying Aces of fail suits, as they're powerful trick-winners worth 11 points each.

Calling a Partner:

• Call the Ace of a suit where you're void or have only low cards. This helps you identify your partner early when that suit is led.
• Calling a suit where you have the 10 can be strong—your partner plays the Ace (11 points) and you follow with the 10 (10 points) for 21 points in one trick.

Playing:

• Pay attention to trump played. With 14 trump cards, counting them helps you know when to lead fail suits safely.
• Lead trump early if you're the picker—it draws out opponents' trump and establishes control.
• If you're a defender and suspect your partner holds the called Ace, lead that suit to help identify the picker's partner.
• High fail suit cards (Aces and 10s) are valuable. Play them when you can win the trick to maximize points.
• Watch for the called suit. When it's played, the hidden partnership is revealed.

Frequently asked questions

What is trump in Sheepshead?

Trump is a permanent suit consisting of all Queens, all Jacks, and all Diamonds (14 cards total). Trump cards always beat fail suit cards and are ranked Queen of Clubs (highest) down to 7 of Diamonds (lowest).

What is a fail suit?

Fail suits are Clubs, Spades, and Hearts (excluding their Queens and Jacks, which are trump). Each fail suit has 6 cards ranked Ace, 10, King, 9, 8, 7.

What is the blind?

The blind is the set of 4 cards dealt face down in the center of the table. The picker takes these cards into their hand and then must bury 4 cards, which count toward their final point total.

What does it mean to pick?

Picking means taking the blind cards and becoming the picker (the player who leads the offensive team). The picker calls a partner and their team must capture at least 61 points to win.

How do you call a partner?

The picker calls a partner by naming an Ace of a fail suit (Clubs, Spades, or Hearts). Whoever holds that Ace becomes the partner, but their identity stays hidden until the called Ace is played.

What is schneider?

Schneider (German for "tailor") occurs when the losing team captures 30 card points or fewer during a hand. This doubles the score—losers lose 2 points each instead of 1 (or 4 instead of 2 if the picker's team loses).

What is schwarz?

Schwarz (German for "black") occurs when the losing team fails to win a single trick. This triples the score—losers lose 3 points each instead of 1 (or 6 instead of 2 if the picker's team loses).

What does it mean to bury cards?

After picking the blind, the picker must bury (set aside face down) 4 cards. These buried cards count toward the picker's point total but cannot be played during the hand.

What does it mean to lead a trick?

To lead a trick means to play the first card in a trick. The suit of this card determines what suit other players must follow if they can.

What is a trick?

A trick is the pile of 4 cards collected by the player who played the strongest card. The highest card of the suit led wins, unless trump is played, in which case the highest trump wins.