Shorthand Sheepshead

Sheepshead is trick-taking card game of German origin. This is a single player version with computer controlled opponents allowing you to play at any time!

This version is the "Short Hand" or "Short Deck" version of Sheepshead. This version only utilizes 24 cards from the normal playing deck: the Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, and 9 from each suit.

Premise:
There are no winners in Sheepshead - only losers, and they get a "Buck."

Partners:
Partners are determined by whomever holds a black queen. If a player lays a black queen the other player who lays a black queen is their partner. The other two players are then also partners. If "First Trick" is called, the first player to get a trick other than the player who called it will then become their partner. We classify the partners as "Queen Partners" and "Setting Partners."

Trump Order:
Queens (Clubs, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, respectively)
Jacks (Clubs, Spades, Hearts, Diamonds, respectively)
Diamonds (Ace, Ten, King, Nine, respectively).

Family Order:
Ace, Ten, King, Nine, respectively, for each of the remaining suits (Spades, Clubs, Hearts). There is no order in family suit.

Point Values:
Ace - 11
Ten - 10
King - 4
Queen - 3
Jack - 2
Nine - 0

Counting Points:
Each hand will total to 120 points. If the queen partners get all 120 points, they receive 12 points. If the setting partners only get a trick during the hand, the queen partners only get 6 points. If the setting partners' tricks total greater than 30 points but less than 60 points they have a cutter, resulting in the queen partners only receiving 3 points. If the setting partners have equal to or more than 60 points worth in their tricks at the end of the hand but the queen partners have more than 30, the setting partners receive 6 points. Finally if the setting partners have more than 90 points in their tricks they receive 9 points.

Game Mechanics:
The player will be given 6 cards to begin the hand. At the start of each round of each hand, the player's partner is unknown. Partners in this version of Sheepshead are determined by whomever has the Black Queens. If a player has both Black Queens, the player may decide to go "Alone" or call for "First Trick." The goal of the game to get as many tricks as possible to ensure you have the most points at the end of the hand.

Going Alone:
If a player decides to play alone, the three computer opponents will be partners and try to beat you at the hand. If they are able to set you, this results in an automatic buck.

First Trick:
A player may call First Trick if they have both Black Queens in their hand. In this scenario, the first player to get a trick that is not yourself will become your partner.

I developed this game independently and will continuously update game mechanics and graphics. Please feel free to contact me if you find a bug while playing and I'll be sure to fix it in the next release. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy the game!