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How to win at Schnapsen: strategy and tips

Schnapsen is the fast Austrian cousin of Sixty-Six, played with only 20 cards: jacks, queens, kings, tens and aces. Hands are short, so a single good decision often decides the hand. The first player to collect 66 card points wins it.

Remember every card

With just 20 cards it is possible to track almost all of them. Note which aces and tens have gone. Later in the hand you will know exactly which high cards your opponent still holds, and you can lead accordingly.

Protect your tens

A ten is worth 10 points but loses to the ace of its suit. While the matching ace is still unseen, a ten is at risk. Lead a ten only when the ace is gone or when you can make your opponent use a trump on it.

Win a trick early

Marriages (a king and queen of one suit) score 20, or 40 in trumps, but only count once you have won a trick. Taking one early trick, even a cheap one, makes your marriage points safe.

Swap the trump jack

The holder of the trump jack may exchange it for the face-up trump card. The turned-up card is usually better, so make the swap when you can.

Close the stock with confidence

Closing the stock makes play strict: you must follow suit and win the trick if you can. Close when your aces, tens and trumps will carry you to 66. Closing too early and falling short gives your opponent extra game points.

Play second with care

While the stock is open you do not have to follow suit or win the trick. Win cheaply when your opponent's lead is an ace or a ten, for example with a low trump. Otherwise throw a jack or a queen and keep your strong cards for later.

Finish the hand when you can

Your points are shown next to your name, and the hand ends the moment you reach 66. When you are close, lead a card that is sure to win, such as an ace in a suit your opponent cannot trump.

Mistakes to avoid

• Leading a ten while its ace is still out.
• Forgetting to announce a marriage when you lead.
• Spending a high trump on a trick with few points in it.