Schafkopf
German: "Schafkopf" — barrel head, or literally "sheep's head"
Definition
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."
Schafkopf in play
Schafkopf took shape in Bavaria and Franconia in the 1700s using a 32-card German-suited deck of Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, and Bells rather than French suits. Wisconsin's German immigrants carried it across the Atlantic, where the name got Anglicized to 'sheepshead' and the deck swapped to clubs, spades, hearts, and diamonds. The core machinery survived the crossing intact: Obers and Unters as permanent trump, schmearing, and the Schneider and Schwarz bonus tiers all trace straight back to the parent game.
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Related Terms
Schmear
To throw high-point cards (Aces, Tens) on a trick your teammate is winning. Essential strategy for maximizing points.
Schneider
When the losing team scores fewer than 31 points. Doubles all scores for the hand.
Schwarz
When the losing team wins zero tricks. Triples all scores for the hand. Rare but devastating!