House Rules
Sheepshead has no governing body and no single rulebook, so every table plays house rules. The ones that change the game most are the partner rule, what happens when everyone passes, and how much doubling is allowed. Settle those before the first deal, not in the middle of a hand.
The checklist
Swipe the table sideways on a phone. “Switchable” means a private table or a club can set it differently.
| Rule | Common options | Sheepshead Club default | Switchable here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner | Jack of diamonds; call an ace | Jack of diamonds | Yes |
| Players | 3, 4, 5, or 6 with the dealer out | 5 | Yes, 3 to 6 |
| Everyone passes | Doubler, leaster, dealer stuck, schwanzer | Doubler | Yes |
| Doublers in a row | Fold together; one at a time | Fold together, capped at ×8 | Yes |
| Cracks and recracks | On or off; one crack or several | On, one crack and one recrack | No, always on |
| Blitzes | Black queens only; red queens and jacks too; when shown | All three, on the pick | No, always on |
| Blitz recrack | Picker or partner; partner only | Picker or partner | Club setting |
| Crack timing | Each seat asked in turn; an open window before the lead | In turn | Club setting (call an ace) |
| Recrack by a hidden partner | Named; not named | Not named | Club setting |
| Four queens | Sheepshead call; double blitz | Sheepshead call | Club setting |
| Double on the bump | Off; on | Off | Yes |
| Picker holds three aces | Call a ten; go alone | Call a ten, ace held under | No |
| Card under | Off; on | Off | Yes, at call an ace |
| Schneider lines | One line for everyone; a separate line per side | Picking side 31, defense 30 | No |
| No tricks, called-ace partner | Partner pays a share; partner excused | Partner pays a share | No |
| Leaster tie for fewest | Split; tie-break | Split | No |
| Bury counts with no tricks | Always; only after a trick | Always | No |
| Turn clock | None; a set time | 30 seconds | Yes, in your own room |
The three that matter most
The partner rule changes how every hand is played. Jack of diamonds keeps the partner hidden; call an ace gives the picker a choice and gives the table information. Most groups are firmly one or the other.
The all-pass rule changes how loosely people pick. At a doubler table, passing raises the stakes for the next hand; at a schwanzer table, passing with good trump costs you directly; at a leaster table, a passed hand becomes its own game.
The doubling family changes the size of the swings. Cracks, recracks, blitzes and a carried doubler all multiply the same hand, so one deal can be worth sixteen ordinary ones. That is fun at a kitchen table and a problem at a tournament.
Carry your rules with you
A private table here can be saved as a preset or shared as a link, so the group’s exact rules open the same way every time. A club keeps its own rules for every table it opens. If your group plays something this page does not list, tell us at support@sheepsheadclub.com.
Related
Play a hand
Sheepshead Club is free, with no ads and no account needed. Play a first hand with the coach beside you (about three minutes), or sit down at a table with computer players or real people.