the loser who pays the table 1 point each. The blind is discarded. In German, Schwanzer means truant or hooky player. Truant relates to a student being absent from school. When absent from school education is missed. Missing education results in being uneducated. Therefore, a Schwanzer occurs because at least one player is uneducated in how to pick in the game of Sheepshead. The purpose of a Schwanzer, also known as a showdown, is to catch maurers without playing a leaster or another variant of a “no pick” situation. The loser is determined by the highest number of points in a hand. The Schwanzer points are scaled as follows: Queens = 3 points, Jacks = 2 points, Diamonds = 1 point For example, a hand with the Queen of spades (3 points), Jack of clubs (2 points), Ace of diamonds (1 point), 8 of diamonds (1 point), 10 of clubs (0 points), and 7 of spades (0 points) equals the Schwanzer point value of 7. (3+2+1+1) If tied in points, the player with the most powerful trump loses. For example, a hand with the Queen of clubs (3 points) and Queen of diamonds (3 points) loses to the hand with Queen of spades (3 points), Jack of clubs (2 points) and the Ace of diamonds (1 point). Variations in the number of players There are numerous variations in rules, so a discussion of house rules generally occurs before play begins. The following variations can be employed to accommodate different numbers of players. Two-handed 1) Each player is dealt four cards in a row, face down. Then, four cards are dealt face up to each player and placed on top of the first four cards. The eight cards in front of each player are referred to as their 'battery' in the text below. Then, eight cards are dealt to each player's hand. Every hand is played with no picking nor partner. Whichever player gets the higher number of points wins the hand. Each trick has four cards - one from each player's hand, and one from each player's battery (table cards). The highest card, per normal rules, takes the trick. At the end of the trick, any uncovered face down card is turned face up, and is in play for the next trick. For the first trick, the non-dealer leads a card from their hand, then the dealer plays from their