Schnapsen
AUSTRIAN NATIONAL 2-PLAYER TRICK-TAKING CARD GAME — considered the NATIONAL CARD GAME OF AUSTRIA. Uses 20-card deck (A-10-K-Q-J of 4 suits); first player to 66 CARD POINTS (or 7 game points across hands) wins. Signature: MARRIAGE (K+Q of same suit) = 20 pts (40 if trump); CLOSING deck to force endgame play from known cards. Deep tactical game despite simple appearance. Popular in AUSTRIA, GERMANY, HUNGARY, CROATIA, SLOVENIA. Belongs to BEZIQUE family.
Quick facts
Category
Card Games
Type
Individual
Players
2–2
Duration
~30 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇦🇹 Austria
Estimated origin
18th-19th century origin from Bezique/Marriage family; codified in Austria 1800s
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Reach 66 card points in a hand (or 7 game-total points across multiple hands).
Rules
Basic rules
20-CARD DECK: A(11) + 10(10) + K(4) + Q(3) + J(2) of 4 suits
Signature 20-card deck.
Deal: 5 cards each; 1 card face-up as TRUMP; rest as stock
Standard 5-card deal.
PLAY: winner of trick takes both cards + top of stock; opponent takes next
Signature card-refill mechanic.
MARRIAGE: hold K+Q of same suit; declare when playing K/Q = 20 pts (40 if trump)
Signature marriage.
CLOSING: any point after 3rd trick, player can 'close' — flip trump card = no more stock, must follow suit strictly
Signature closing mechanic.
GAME POINTS: winning hand earns 1-3 game points; first to 7 game points wins overall
Signature game-point structure.
Scoring
First to 66 card points wins hand; hand winner earns 1-3 game points based on opponent score; first to 7 game points wins game.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Card values: A=11, 10=10, K=4, Q=3, J=2 | Sum across won tricks |
| Marriage (K+Q same suit) | +20 or +40 (trump) |
| Last trick bonus | +10 |
| Win hand with opponent < 33 pts | 3 game points |
| Win hand with opponent 33-65 pts | 1-2 game points |
Win condition · First to 7 game points across multiple hands.
Equipment
20-card deck (A-10-K-Q-J of 4 suits) OR standard 52-card deck with only these cards
Signature small 20-card deck
Score pad
For running total
Terminology
- Schnapsen
- 'Little Schnaps' — refers to short bracing rounds like the drink.
- Marriage (Ehe)
- K+Q of same suit; declaration = 20 pts (40 trump).
- Closing (Zumachen)
- Sealing the stock; forces perfect play from known cards.
- Trump
- Suit shown by exposed card at deal start.
- Ausmachen
- Winning game by scoring 66 in a hand.
Where it is played
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Various Austrian schnapsen champions (regional + national); Austrian national masters
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Schnapsen— Wikipedia