Get the full experience in CardRules+
300+ games with text-to-speech, game night planner, quick reference cards, and offline access.
Download on Google Play- Use a 48-card doubled deck (9 through Ace, two copies each).
- Deal 12 cards each to 4 players.
- The two players holding Queens of Clubs form the secret Re team.
- Follow suit; trumps form one large suit (26 of 48 cards).
- First of two identical cards played in the same trick wins.
- Announce 'Re' or 'Contra' to declare confidence and raise stakes.
- Hearts 10s (Dullen) are the two highest trumps.
- Queens and Jacks are permanent trumps; Diamonds are the trump suit.
- Further announcements like 'no 90' or 'no 60' increase the stakes.
Rules
Doppelkopf is a German trick-taking game for four players using a 48-card deck (two copies of each card from 9 to Ace). Like Schafkopf, all Queens and Jacks are permanent trumps, but the doubled cards create unique situations where identical cards can appear in the same trick.
Objective
The Re team (holders of the Queens of Clubs) must score at least 121 of the 240 available points. The Contra team tries to prevent this.
Setup
- Players: 4 players.
- Deck: 48 cards — two copies each of 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in each suit.
- Deal: 12 cards each.
- Teams: The two players holding the Queens of Clubs form the Re team. Their identities may be hidden initially.
Trump Hierarchy
- Hearts 10 (Dullen): Two Hearts 10s are the highest trumps.
- Queens: All 8 Queens in order: Clubs > Spades > Hearts > Diamonds.
- Jacks: All 8 Jacks in same suit order.
- Diamonds: The remaining Diamond suit cards from Ace down to 9.
- Total Trumps: 26 of 48 cards are trump.
Gameplay
- Trick Play: Follow suit if possible. Trumps form one large suit. Highest trump or highest led-suit card wins.
- Duplicate Cards: When identical cards appear in the same trick, the first one played outranks the second.
- Announcements: Players may announce 'Re' or 'Contra' to declare confidence and increase stakes. Further announcements like 'no 90' or 'no 60' raise the bar even higher.
- Solo: A player with a strong hand may declare a solo, playing alone against the other three.
Tips and Strategies
- Identify your partner (fellow Queen of Clubs holder) as quickly as possible through card signals.
- With 26 trumps in the deck, trump management is the most critical skill.
- The two Hearts 10s (Dullen) are immensely powerful — play them at the right moment.
Tips & Strategy
With more than half the deck being trump, leading trumps early to drain opponents is even more important than in other trick games.
Partnership discovery is paramount. Subtly revealing your Queen of Clubs early (or hiding it if strategically advantageous) can make or break a hand.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The duplicate cards create the unusual rule that the first of two identical cards played in a trick wins. This 'first beats second' principle is unique among card games.
In Doppelkopf, what are the two highest-ranking trump cards called?
History & Culture
Doppelkopf evolved from Schafkopf in the early 20th century and is now the second most popular card game in Germany after Skat.
Doppelkopf is particularly popular in northern Germany, where dedicated clubs and leagues organize regular tournaments. It is a staple of German social gaming culture.
Variations & House Rules
House rules vary enormously across Germany. Common additions include Fuchs (Fox) bonuses, Karlchen (Little Charles) for the last trick with Jack of Clubs, and various solo types.
Start without announcements and solos to learn the basic trick-taking. Add the Re/Contra system once players are comfortable with the trump hierarchy.
