Ober
German: "Ober" — upper/above; the higher of the two face cards in German decks
Definition
German name for the Queen in Schafkopf and other Bavarian card games. The four Obers are the highest trumps in both Schafkopf and Sheepshead — Q♣ (Eichel-Ober) being the boss.
Ober in play
On a Bavarian deck the Ober is the upper court figure, drawn standing above the suit symbol, which is why translating the game to French-suited cards turns every Ober into a Queen. All four are permanent top trumps regardless of suit, ranked Eichel (Q of Clubs) over Gras (Q of Spades) over Herz (Q of Hearts) over Schellen (Q of Diamonds). That ranking is identical in Sheepshead, so when you lead the Queen of Clubs you are leading the Eichel-Ober, the single highest card in the deck.
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Related Terms
Unter
German name for the Jack in Schafkopf and other Bavarian card games. The four Unters sit below the Obers in trump rank but above all Diamonds (or above all Hearts in Schafkopf), making them the second-tier permanent trumps.
Schafkopf
The German ancestor of Sheepshead, originating in Bavaria in the 1700s. The name likely refers to playing on a barrel head ("Schaff" = barrel, "Kopf" = head), though it's often translated as "sheep's head."
Queen of Clubs (Q♣)
The highest-ranking card in Sheepshead and the boss of the entire deck. Q♣ wins any trick it is played on and is the cornerstone of the trump hierarchy, followed by Q♠, Q♥, and Q♦. Holding Q♣ alongside Q♠ unlocks a Blitz declaration.
Trump
The powerful suit that beats all fail cards. In Sheepshead: all Queens, all Jacks, and all Diamonds are trump (14 cards total).