Ramsch

However, thanks to its interesting mode of play it has since developed into an independent game in its own right which is only loosely based on Skat or Schafkopf.

[1] It should not be confused with the games of the Rams family – Ramsen and Ramscheln – that also go by the name Ramsch.

[2] The term Ramsch in German means something like "low-quality rejects", "cheap products", "mass-produced goods", "worthless junk" or simply "rubbish".

Usually Ramsch is played if all four players "pass" instead of declaring a game, because they think they have poor hands.

[3] In a standard Ramsch the Obers, Unters and Hearts form the trump suit and all other cards are ranked in the normal ace–ten order (A, 10, K, 9,...).

Some circles play a Bauernramsch in which only the Obers and Unters are trumps; the rest of the Hearts form a plain suit along with Acorns, Leaves and Bells.

If a player takes no tricks, this is a Jungfrau or Jungfer ("virgin" or "maiden") and the loser's minus points or the agreed stake are doubled.

If, however, one player can take all the tricks (both opponents thus remaining Jungfers), he has won a Durchmarsch ("march").

[4] The following rules are based on the Spielregelbüchlein aus Altenburg:[7] Ramsch is a very easy trick-taking game of the ace–ten family in which three players aim to take as few points as possible in their tricks.

After the deal, forehand picks up the 2 downcards and passes 2 cards, face down, to middlehand, who does the same.