One of the most difficult decisions for any new Skat player is whether or not his/her hand is strong enough to bid. Novice players tend to be too aggressive, bidding hands that are impossible to win, or too conservative, "Mauering" and not bidding playable hands to the frustration of their fellow players.
For years, Bridge players have had counting systems designed to help their evaluate their cards. Thanks to Joseph P. Wergin, the U.S. Skat authority, Skat players now have their own system as well. The following information is taken from Wergin's book, "Wergin on Skat and Sheepshead" published in McFarland, Wisconsin in 1975.
This system rates the power cards and the combinations in which they are held. A rating of 4.5 is required before a hand should be bid.
| Card or combination |
|
| Club Jack |
|
| Any other single Jack |
|
| Club and Spade Jacks |
|
| Any other two Jacks |
|
| Club, Spade, and Heart Jacks |
|
| Club, Spade, Heart, and Diamond Jacks |
|
| Club, Spade, and Diamond Jacks |
|
| Club, Heart, and Diamond Jacks |
|
| Spade, Heart, and Diamond Jacks |
|
| Each Ace |
|
| Each 10 |
|
| Ace and 10 of one suit |
|
| Ace, 10, and King of one suit |
|
| Ace, King, and 9 of one suit |
|
| Ace, King, and Queen of one suit |
|
| 10, King, and Queen of one suit |
|
| King, Queen, and 9 of one suit |
|
Some Examples
Jacks: H, D
Clubs: 10, K, 8
Spades: 10, 8
Hearts: K, 8
Diamonds: A
Count = 4 (Pass)
Jacks: C, S
Clubs: 7
Spades: A, Q, 7
Hearts: A, 7
Diamonds: 10, 7
Count = 5 (Bid)
Jacks: C, S
Clubs: A
Spades: Q, 8
Hearts: 10, 9
Diamonds: K, 9, 8
Count = 4 (Pass)
Jacks: C, S, H
Clubs: K, Q, 9
Spades: 8
Hearts: K, 8
Diamonds: K
Count = 4.5 (Bid)
Updated 15 August 2000 by Jws.