User:Zumaguy/sandbox

A small group of avid Sheepshead players in Ann Arbor (Michigan) began playing online once a week at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. This group also began trying new variants in the game and introduced new slang terms for different styles of playing the game. When it became apparent to the group that other Sheepshead players around the world might be interested in some of these game innovations, the group founded the Ann Arbor Sheepshead Society (AASS) in July, 2021.

Mittlers (Middlers)
The most notable innovation was a game variant when no player picks up the blind and becomes that game's "picker." When there is no picker, the players have several game options including (A) dealing a new hand and doubling the value of wagers (game points) won and lost (called a "Doubler"), (B) playing the cards dealt, but the game winner is the player with the fewest card points at the end of the game (called a "Leaster"), and (C) playing the cards dealt, but the player with the most card points at the end of the game pays each of the other players (called a "Moster"). Other game variants can be found at XXXXXX. Unlike many groups of Sheepshead players, the Ann Arbor Sheepshead Society enjoys playing all of these variants and allows the dealer of any "no picker" hand to decide which game variant the group will play.

During a spirited online game in early 2021, a "no picker" hand was dealt and the dealer declared the group will play a new variant of the game initially called a "Mediocre". Playing a Mediocre is an alternative to playing a Leaster or Moster. The player who wins this “no picker” game has the median number (middle value) of card points among the five players after the hand is scored. Thus, the winner will have the third highest number of card points. There will be two players with higher points and two players with lower points. If there is no clear middle value, no game points are exchanged. The group noted that playing a Mediocre requires paying more attention to card points won for each game trick, but ironically it is usually a lucky break on the last two tricks that determines the winner with the middle value of points. Ultimately, the Ann Arbor Sheepshead Society decided to name this game variant "Middler" or "Mittler" (German translation) before introducing the variant to the public.

New Game Slang
The Ann Arbor Sheepshead Society has also developed several new game slang terms to describe distinct styles of playing the game. We noted that most of these game playing styles cannot be found in any publications or websites describing how to play the game.

"Schmetterling"
This German word translates to "butterfly" and negatively refers to a player who has won a large number of game points (wagers) and conspicuously spreads the winnings out so that everyone else can see how much he/she has dominated the other players.

"Russler"
This term describes a deceptive strategy by the game's picker. In most games, the picker will have partner. The exception is when the picker has a strong hand and decides to plays alone. In one game variant, the partner will be the player holding the Jack of Diamonds. In another variant, the picker calls one of the non-trump aces and the player holding the called ace becomes the partner. A "Russler" is a picker who calls a non-trump ace, but actually buries the called ace with the other buried card before the tricks are played. This deception determines the picker is playing alone without declaring it. When the called ace suit is led during the game and the called ace is not played, there is often a brief period of confusion, some accusations of reneging, etc. Often the picker is also puzzled and mildly embarrassed because he/she had not intended to bury the called ace.