Skat Game Terms Explained
The most common questions in Skat revolve around the meaning of game levels, declarations, and special games. Here you'll find all important terms at a glance.
Rules: Internationale Skatordnung (ISkO) 2022 ↗
How to play
- 1.Each player gets 10 cards — 2 cards form the face-down Skat.
- 2.Bidding: the highest bidder becomes the soloist.
- 3.Soloist picks up the Skat and discards 2 cards face down.
- 4.Soloist chooses the game type: suit game, Grand, or Null.
- 5.Soloist plays alone against the two opponents.
- 6.Suit game / Grand: need at least 61 card points to win. Null: win no tricks.
Matadors (Spitzen)
Matadors determine the multiplier of the game value. They count the highest trumps in unbroken sequence — starting with the Jack of Clubs. If you hold it, you count "with": with 1, with 2, etc. If you lack it, you count "without".
Example: You hold the Jack of Clubs and Jack of Spades, but not the Jack of Hearts → with 2. The base factor is then 2 + 1 (game) = 3.
Formula: Game value = Base value × (matadors + 1 + additional levels)
Hand
A Hand game means: the declarer does not pick up the Skat. The Skat remains face-down and counts toward the declarer's card points at the end. Multiplier +1.
Only in Hand games are Schneider declared, Schwarz declared, and Ouvert (for suit/Grand games) possible. The Hand game is therefore the prerequisite for the highest possible game values in Skat. Exception: Null Ouvert can be played without Hand.
Schneider
The opponents collect 30 or fewer card points together (≤ 30). The soloist then has at least 90 of the 120 possible points. Multiplier +1.
Schneider is scored automatically — no declaration needed.
Schneider Declared
Only possible in Hand games. The declarer announces before the first trick that the opponents will be Schneider. Multiplier +2 (Schneider + declared) if the declaration is fulfilled.
Per ISkO 2.5.7: If Schneider is declared but not achieved, the declarer still loses with the full declared game value. The "Schneider declared" level remains in the loss value.
Schwarz
The declarer wins all 10 tricks — the opponents take none. Schwarz always implies Schneider; both are automatically scored. Multiplier +2 compared to a normal game (Schneider +1, Schwarz +1).
Schwarz does not need to be declared to be scored.
Schwarz Declared
Only possible in Hand games. The declarer announces before the first trick that they will win all tricks. Schwarz declared automatically implies Schneider declared. Total multiplier: +4 (Schneider, Schneider decl., Schwarz, Schwarz decl.).
If unsuccessful, the declarer loses with the full Schwarz declared value — per ISkO one of the highest possible losses.
Ouvert
The declarer lays all cards face-up on the table before the first trick is played.
In suit and Grand games: only possible with Hand. Ouvert automatically implies Schwarz declared — the declarer must win all tricks. Multiplier +1 on top of Schwarz declared.
In Null games: Ouvert is also possible without Hand (Null Ouvert, fixed value 46). Null Ouvert Hand (with Hand game) is worth 59 points.
Ouvert games are rare and require an exceptional hand.
Kontra
An opponent doubts that the declarer will win — and declares Kontra. Kontra doubles the entire game value (factor ×2). Kontra must be declared before the first trick is played.
Both opponents can declare Kontra together or individually; it counts once.
Re
The declarer responds to Kontra. Re doubles the game value again — a total factor of ×4. Re is only possible after Kontra and must also be declared before the first trick.
With Kontra and Re, even moderate games can lead to very high game values.
Overbid
Whoever bid more in the bidding round than their game is worth has overbid. Per ISkO, the declarer automatically loses — regardless of the game outcome. The loss value is the next higher valid game value that meets or exceeds the bid.
Example: Bid 36, playing Clubs with 1 → base value 12 × 2 = 24. Next valid Clubs value ≥ 36: 12 × 3 = 36. Loss with 36.