Tips sheepshead

Picking Tips

A good rule of thumb for picking is to have 2 queens and an 1 additional trump or 5 trump cards, These hands should be able to win depending on the partners hand.

The picker has the unique ability to bury cards. They should use this to void suits and bury points for the end of the hand. If the picker buries two aces, that's 22 "free" points for their team or a third of the way to winning.

Its highly likely that the picker has the most trump for the hand and should lead it in order to "pull out" the opposing team's trump. Leading the Q♣ is always a good lead for the picker.

The picker should always try and maintain the lead.

Partner Tips

Its generally a good idea to keep your partner status a secret unless you can use your partner card to gain a lot of points. Typically,

The partner should always try and "feed" the picker points when the picker plays high trump cards

Since the picker should have a large amount of trump, its generally a good idea for the partner to lead trump.

The partner should always lead the Q♣ as soon as they are able

Opposing Tips

In competitive play, they picking team typically will win the hand, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost for the opposing team.

High trump should be used when there are points on the table especially if the picker has yet to play.

Its rarely a good idea to lead trump since the picker will typically have more of it.

Lead a "long" suit if you have it so that there's more of a chance the other opposing teammates are able to trump