Sluff (Slough)
Definition
To discard a low, worthless fail card on a trick you can't win and don't want to schmear into. Sluffing low Kings, 9s, 8s, and 7s onto a losing trick is how defenders dump junk without giving the picker's team extra points.
Sluff (Slough) in play
To sluff is to throw a worthless fail card - a low King, 9, 8, or 7 - onto a trick you cannot win and do not want to feed. It is the defensive opposite of schmearing: when the picker's side is taking a trick, you sluff junk instead of donating an Ace or Ten. Knowing when to sluff versus schmear hinges entirely on whether your side or theirs is winning the trick.
Example
“The picker just won a trick with Q♣ — sluff your 7♥ instead of your A♥.”
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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.
Fail (Fail Suit)
Any suit that is not trump. In Sheepshead, Clubs, Spades, and Hearts (without their Queens and Jacks) are fail suits.
Void
Having no cards in a particular suit. Being void in a fail suit is valuable because you can trump in when it's led.
Defender
One of the three players opposing the picker and partner. Defenders work together to capture 60+ points.