Skitgubbe – Rules

Play Skitgubbe against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Skitgubbe is a Swedish family game in two parts. In the first part you use high cards to collect cards for the second part. In the second part you shed cards with a trump suit: you must beat the top card or pick it up. Whoever is left holding cards loses.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 52 French cards, ace high.
• Phase 1: Only ranks count, not suits.
• Phase 2: The last card turned from the stock sets the trump suit.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, stock face down, cards played face up.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 3 cards; the rest is the stock.
2. Start: The player left of the dealer begins.

Start example: You hold a king, a 7 and a 7. With the pair of sevens you can later beat a pair.

4. Goal and winning

• Phase 1: Collect good cards for phase 2.
• Phase 2: Get rid of all your cards.
• Loser: The last player still holding cards is the skitgubbe.

5. Play in detail

Phase 1 – collecting.

1. The player on turn puts one or more cards of the same rank in the middle.
2. In turn everyone plays the same number of cards – ideally a higher set of equal ranks, otherwise any cards.
3. Whoever played the highest set wins all cards in the middle and places them face down in front of them.
4. Then everyone draws back up to 3 cards.
5. Whoever draws the last stock card puts it aside face down – its suit is trumps in phase 2.

Phase 2 – shedding.

1. Everyone takes the cards they won into their hand. The holder of the card set aside reveals it and leads.
2. The player on turn plays a card (or a run in one suit). The next must beat the top card: higher in the same suit or with a trump.
3. A player who can't or won't beat it picks up the top layer.
4. When there are as many layers as players, the trick is full and set aside; whoever completed it leads next.
5. A player out of cards is safe. The last player is the skitgubbe.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Phase 1, order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.

1. Player 1 plays two sevens. Player 2 plays two nines. Player 4 has no pair and gives any two cards. Player 3 plays two queens.
2. Player 3 wins all eight cards. Everyone draws back up to three.
3. Later in phase 2, hearts are trumps: Player 2 plays the 10 of spades. Player 1 beats it with the king of spades. Player 4 trumps with the 4 of hearts.
4. Player 3 can't beat the 4 of hearts and picks it up.

6. Scoring

• Recording: How often each player was the skitgubbe.

7. Special rules and situations

• Tie in phase 1: Only the tied players play again until one is ahead.
• Trump against trump: A trump can only be beaten by a higher trump.
• Runs in phase 2 (option): You may play several consecutive cards of one suit at once.
• Queen of spades (variant): In some families it can't be beaten.
• Common mistakes: giving away all aces in phase 1; wasting trumps early in phase 2.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 3 hand cards in phase 1, last stock card is trumps, phase 2 with runs.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to three computer opponents (standard: three players); in phase 2 runs are allowed or singles only.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Collect high cards: Aces won in phase 1 help in phase 2.
2. Guess trumps: Towards the end of the stock, trumps will soon be known.
3. Shed small cards in phase 1: They hurt in phase 2.
4. Save trumps: They rescue you at the end.
5. Picking up isn't so bad: Sometimes taking one card beats wasting a trump.
6. Keep count: Which trumps have gone?
7. Stay calm: Holding many cards early doesn't mean you've lost.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 52 cards, 3 hand cards each.
2. Phase 1: play equal ranks.
3. Everyone plays the same number, the higher set wins.
4. The highest set wins the middle.
5. Draw back up to 3.
6. Set aside the last stock card – its suit is trumps.
7. Phase 2: take your won cards into hand.
8. Beat the top card (higher in suit or trump).
9. Otherwise pick up the top layer.
10. The last player with cards is the skitgubbe.

11. Frequently asked questions

What does skitgubbe mean?

Roughly "dirty old man" – that's what the loser is called.

When are trumps set?

Whoever draws the last stock card puts it aside – its suit is trumps in phase 2.

Must I beat in phase 1?

No. You play the same number of cards, even if they are lower.

What do I pick up in phase 2?

Only the top layer – one card or a run.

Are there points?

No, there is only one loser.

How long does a round take?

About 10 to 15 minutes.

Origin & history

Skitgubbe descends from the Finnish Myllymatti, first mentioned as early as 1808. Swedish rules first appeared in 1949 under the name “Mas”. Today Skitgubbe is considered one of the most played card games in Sweden and one of the best games for three people. The name means roughly “dirty old man” – that is what the loser is called.