Ace
Definition
The highest-ranking card in each fail suit, worth 11 points. In Sheepshead, fail Aces (Clubs, Spades, Hearts) are often called as partners.
Ace in play
Each fail suit has exactly one Ace, and at 11 points it is the single most valuable card you can capture in a trick. In Called Ace games the picker names a fail Ace to find a secret partner, so an Ace you hold may quietly make you the picker's teammate. Because Aces are such heavy point cards, defenders fight to capture them and pickers try to bury or protect them whenever they cannot win them outright.
Example
“If you call Clubs, whoever has the Ace of Clubs is your partner.”
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Related Terms
Call
When the picker names a fail suit Ace to designate their partner. The partner is the player holding that Ace.
Partner
The player holding the called Ace who teams up with the picker. The partner's identity is secret until the called Ace is played.
Hold Card
The called Ace when you're the partner. You must keep this card (can't bury it) since it designates you as partner.
Points
The scoring value of cards: Aces=11, Tens=10, Kings=4, Queens=3, Jacks=2, 9/8/7=0. Total in deck: 120.