Editing Sheepshead (card game) (section)

==Strategy==

===Picker and partner===
*  The picker and partner should almost always lead trump. The picker should have the strongest hand, as they received additional cards, received free points in their bury, and hopefully had a stronger hand before picking. So for each trump he/she loses, four trump are lost by the other players. This is especially important in the ''called aces'' variant, as this gives the ace a much better chance of ''walking''''',''' or going around the table without being trumped.
*  When the picker is weak, sometimes it may be wise to lead fail and hope that the partner can take the trick. In these circumstances, the partner leading trump may drain the picker's trump faster than a strong opponent, though this strategy may be dangerous if the partner is still unknown.
*  Generally speaking, it is better to clear out as many suits of fail as possible when burying; it is better to have two clubs than to have a heart and a club. There are exceptions to this rule.
*  Generally, it is best not to pick up the blind unless the player has four or more trump in a five-handed game, and it is best if at least one of those trump is a queen. Picking on three trump is unwise, unless they are very highly powered cards or the picker has point cards to place into the blind.

===Opponents===
*  In the ''called aces'' variant, the opponents should usually lead another card of the called suit, as it is required by rule that the picker and partner must have and play a card of that fail suit for sure. Since there are five players and (usually) six cards in each fail suit, it is likely that one of the opponents will ''not ''have a card of that suit and thus be able to trump the trick and take the called ace for at least 11 points. If the opponents wait, an opponent might be able to [[Sheepshead (game)#Throwing Off|throw off]] his single card in the called suit and thereafter be able to trump the first trick of the called suit. However, waiting is dangerous because there are only six tricks in the five-player game, and the picker usually tries to lead trump and thus bleed the opponents of their trump—in part for the very purpose of avoiding this tactic by the opponents.
*  If the picker has one card of a given suit, they are more likely to have another card of that same suit than to have one of another fail suit. Leading that suit back at them (if possible) is a common strategy that will allow for a greater chance for the opponents to be able to trump or [[Sheepshead (game)#Schmear|schmear]] the trick.
*  Watch for tell-tale play. If a player schmears an ace or ten in front of the picker, there's a good chance that they are the partner.
*  Never lead trump unless absolutely necessary; doing so will likely hurt the opponent's team more than the picker/partner.

===All players===
*  Point counting is a very valuable skill when playing sheepshead, as it enables a player to know if a trick must be taken or if they've already won, enabling them to change their strategy to try for a greater victory.
*Trump counting is also important to keep track of the number of trump that have already been played, especially the queens and to a lesser extent the jacks.
* The order of play is a very important consideration while playing. There is a distinct benefit to "being on the end,". At times it may be worth [[Sheepshead (game)#Bumping|bumping]] (taking a trick away from a teammate) in order to keep the opposition team members from being the last to play in the following trick.
*  In three or four-handed games, aces are much more likely to walk than in games with more players.