Unknown in the 1760s, it is first recorded in Austria in 1783 in Salzburg as a game of chance, played alongside Stichbrandeln, Brandeln, Aufkarten and Häufeln.

[3] In 19th-century Bavaria it was nicknamed Hombeschen [sic] after state minister von Hompesch introduced financial reforms that saw many pensions withdrawn or cut back.

[6] It is like a more intense version of the German game of Tippen – the general rules and mode of play are much the same – but there are significant differences, especially its permanent trump, the ♦7, and its 'hop and jump' (Hupf und Sprung) element, in which, like Kratzen and Austrian Lampeln, the role of dealer may 'hop' to the next player or 'jump' over one or more players as a result of the cut.

At this point, beginning with forehand, players may exchange up to 3 cards with the talon or announce that they will "pass" and drop out of the current deal.

In addition a player is gezwickt (i.e. has lost) and pays a basic stake if:[7] An historical variant of Zwicken was played in which only the last trick counted.