Sheepshead House Rules
Regional variations and optional rules to customize your game
No Two Tables Play the Same
Sheepshead has been played for generations, and every family, bar, and league has developed their own variations. Before you sit down at a new table, always ask: "What house rules do you play?"
Here are the most common variations you'll encounter.
Partnership Variations
Called Ace (Most Common)
The picker calls a fail Ace and whoever holds it becomes their secret partner.
This is the standard 5-player rule and what most Wisconsin players use.
Jack of Diamonds Partner
Instead of calling an Ace, whoever has the Jack of Diamonds is automatically the partner.
Simpler than called ace - no decision to make. Partner is revealed when Jā¦ is played.
Call a Ten
Some tables allow calling a Ten instead of an Ace when you already have all the Aces of a suit or need more flexibility.
Usually only allowed if you can't call an Ace you don't have.
Doubling & Stakes
Crack (Double)
Before play begins, defenders can "crack" to double the stakes. The picker's team can then "re-crack" to double again.
Also called "double" or "redouble" in some areas. Adds gambling excitement!
Blitz (Automatic Double)
If the picker takes the blind without looking at it first, stakes are automatically doubled.
Also called "blind pick." Shows confidence (or recklessness)!
Doublers in Blind
Some tables play that finding certain cards in the blind (like a Queen or 7ā¦) automatically doubles the stakes.
Adds an element of luck to the doubling mechanism.
Scoring Variations
No-Trick Bonus (Schwarz)
If the losing team takes zero tricks, the winning team gets bonus points. Usually triple stakes.
Schneider (31-59 points)
Losing with fewer than 31 points (but more than 0) often means double stakes.
Bumps / Advances
Each trick won by the picker beyond the minimum bumps up the score multiplier.
Point Spread Scoring
Instead of win/lose, score based on point differential. 61-59 pays less than 90-30.
When Everyone Passes
Leaster (Most Common)
Everyone plays for themselves. Player who takes the fewest points wins. The blind goes to whoever takes the last trick.
Mooster (Opposite of Leaster)
Everyone plays alone, but the player who takes the MOST points wins.
Forced Pick (Dealer Must)
If everyone passes, the dealer is forced to pick. No Leasters in this variant.
Re-Deal
Some tables simply re-deal if everyone passes. Simple but loses the Leaster excitement.
Special Rules
Look at Blind Before Deciding
Some tables let you peek at the blind before deciding to pick. Very lenient!
Partner Must Play Ace ASAP
The partner must play the called Ace at the first legal opportunity. Speeds up reveal.
No Schmearing Rule
Some family games prohibit obvious schmearing to keep things simpler for new players.
Set Trump (No Queens/Jacks)
Very casual variant where only Diamonds are trump. Queens and Jacks stay with their suits.
Regional Variations
Milwaukee Area
Called ace, crack/re-crack common, Leasters, point-based scoring.
Rural Wisconsin
Often uses Jack of Diamonds partner, simpler scoring, family-friendly stakes.
Minnesota
More influence from Skat, sometimes different trump orders.
Bar/League Play
Usually standardized rules - called ace, crack, standard scoring to keep games fair.
Setting Rules for Your Game
Before the first deal, agree on:
- ā¢ Partnership: Called Ace or Jack of Diamonds?
- ā¢ Doubling: Allow crack? Blitz?
- ā¢ No-pick: Leaster, forced pick, or re-deal?
- ā¢ Scoring: How much for Schneider/Schwarz?
- ā¢ Stakes: Points only, or something more interesting?
Our app lets you configure many of these options in settings!