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Download on Google Play- Use a 32-card deck (7 through Ace) for 3-4 players.
- Deal all cards evenly among the players.
- Follow the led suit; all Queens and Jacks are permanent trumps.
- Queen of Clubs is highest, then other Queens, then Jacks.
- Highest trump or highest card of led suit wins the trick.
- Aces: 11, Tens: 10, Kings: 4, Queens: 3, Jacks: 2.
- Total of 120 points across all cards.
- Team with 61+ points wins the round.
Rules
Sjavs is a traditional Danish trick-taking game closely related to the German game Schafkopf. It uses a unique trump hierarchy and features partnerships that may shift from round to round, creating a dynamic social experience.
Objective
Capture cards worth the most points through trick-taking. The team or player who accumulates the majority of card points wins the round.
Setup
- Players: 3 to 4 players.
- Deck: 32-card deck (7 through Ace in each suit).
- Deal: Deal all cards evenly among the players.
Gameplay
- Trump hierarchy: All Queens and Jacks are permanent trumps, ranked above the trump suit's number cards. The order is typically Queen of Clubs highest, then other Queens, then Jacks in a similar order.
- Leading: The player left of the dealer leads the first trick.
- Following suit: Players must follow the led suit if possible. All Queens and Jacks belong to the trump suit regardless of their printed suit.
- Winning tricks: The highest trump wins, or the highest card of the led suit if no trump is played.
Scoring
- Aces: 11 points each.
- Tens: 10 points each.
- Kings: 4 points each.
- Queens: 3 points each.
- Jacks: 2 points each.
- Total pool: 120 points are distributed among all cards. A team needs 61 or more to win the round.
Variations
- Solo Sjavs: A player may declare solo, playing alone against all others for higher stakes.
- Sjavs with Nolo: A player bids to take zero tricks, inverting the normal objective.
Tips and Strategies
- Keep track of which Queens and Jacks have been played, as they dominate the trump hierarchy.
- Leading with strong trumps early can flush out opponents' trump cards and give you control of later tricks.
- Communicate with your partner through strategic card play, such as discarding high-point cards on tricks they are winning.
Tips & Strategy
Tracking the permanent trumps (Queens and Jacks) is the key to success. Lead with your strongest trumps early to establish control over the round.
Knowing when to lead trumps versus holding them back is the central strategic tension. Early trump leads are aggressive but can backfire if opponents hold stronger permanent trumps.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The name Sjavs is believed to be a Danish adaptation of the German word 'Schafkopf,' which literally means 'sheep's head.'
Which German card game is Sjavs most closely related to?
History & Culture
Sjavs derives from the German Schafkopf tradition and has been played in Denmark for centuries. It remains especially popular in rural Danish communities and local card clubs.
Sjavs is considered one of Denmark's heritage card games and is frequently played at community gatherings, holiday celebrations, and in traditional Danish pubs.
Variations & House Rules
Solo Sjavs lets a confident player challenge everyone else alone for double stakes. The Nolo variant flips the goal, rewarding the player who avoids taking any tricks.
Introduce a minimum point threshold for declaring solo, or add bonus points for winning all tricks in a round.
