# How Picker Role Works in Sheepshead: Step-by-Step Guide
The picker is one of the most important roles in Sheepshead. This player takes the face-down cards from the blind, adjusts their hand, and becomes responsible for winning enough points to defeat the opposing side. In a common five-player game, the picker also chooses a secret partner by calling an Ace.
Understanding the picker role is essential for beginners because the decision to pick influences the teams, the strategy, and the outcome of the entire hand.
This guide explains how picking works, what happens after someone takes the blind, and how to handle common situations.
1. What Is the Picker in Sheepshead?
The picker is the player who decides to take the face-down cards in the middle of the table, commonly called the blind.
In the usual five-player format:
- Five players participate.
- Each player receives six cards.
- Two additional cards form the blind.
- The picker takes the blind and adds those cards to their hand.
- The picker must then bury two cards face down.
- In the common Called Ace version, the picker names an eligible Ace to identify a partner.
The picking team generally needs at least 61 of the 120 available card points to win. The other three players form the defending team.
Some rules differ by location and table, so players should confirm the number of cards, partner-selection method, and scoring rules before playing.
2. Step One: Wait for Your Turn to Pick
After the cards are dealt, the player to the dealer's left normally gets the first opportunity to pick.
If that player passes, the opportunity moves clockwise to the next player. The process continues until someone takes the blind or everyone passes.
A player who picks becomes the picker and takes responsibility for the picking side.
**Example:**
Imagine five players named A, B, C, D, and E. Player A is to the dealer's left.
- Player A looks at their cards and passes.
- Player B also passes.
- Player C decides to pick.
- Players D and E do not receive another opportunity to pick.
Player C is now the picker.
If everyone passes, the hand may become a Leaster or follow another agreed procedure. Some groups require the dealer to pick instead.
3. Step Two: Evaluate Your Hand
Before picking, consider whether your cards are strong enough to compete for the required points.
Sheepshead has a special trump system. All Queens, all Jacks, and all Diamonds are trump in the common ruleset. The remaining cards in Clubs, Spades, and Hearts are called fail cards.
Trump cards are particularly important because they can beat fail cards when winning tricks.
A player considering picking should examine:
- The number of trump cards.
- The strength of their highest trump.
- The number of Aces and Tens.
- The length of their fail suits.
- Whether the blind could improve their hand.
- Their position in the picking order.
**Example:**
A player holds several Queens and Jacks, along with an Ace and a Ten. This may be a promising hand because it contains strong trump and valuable point cards.
Another player has mostly low fail cards and only one weak trump. Picking may be much riskier.
There is no guaranteed winning hand. The blind is unknown, and the final decision depends on the complete hand and the table's rules.
4. Step Three: Pick Up the Blind
Once a player decides to pick, they take all the cards in the blind and add them to their hand.
In the common five-player game, the blind contains two cards. The picker therefore has eight cards temporarily.
The blind can improve the hand by adding trump, Aces, Tens, or other useful cards.
However, taking the blind also creates a responsibility: the picker must bury the same number of cards before play begins.
**Example:**
Player C picks up the two blind cards and receives:
- Ace of Hearts
- Queen of Spades
These cards may improve the hand by adding a valuable point card and a strong trump.
The picker now evaluates all eight cards and decides which two to bury.
5. Step Four: Bury Two Cards
After picking up the blind, the player places the required number of cards face down. This is commonly called burying.
In the usual five-player format, the picker buries two cards because the blind contained two cards.
The buried cards are not played during the tricks. Under common scoring rules, their point values count toward the picking team's total, provided the picking side wins at least one trick.
A good burying decision considers both card strength and point value.
**Example:**
Suppose the picker has two low fail cards and several strong trump cards. Burying the weak cards may preserve the player's ability to control tricks.
However, a card's point value also matters. A buried Ace or Ten can contribute valuable points to the picking side under the usual scoring rules.
The picker should understand the table's scoring and burying rules before making the decision.
6. Step Five: Call a Partner
In five-player Called Ace Sheepshead, the picker usually chooses a partner by naming an Ace from one of the three fail suits: Clubs, Spades, or Hearts.
The player holding the called Ace becomes the picker's partner.
For example, if the picker announces "Ace of Hearts," the player holding the Ace of Hearts is secretly on the picking team.
The picker generally must not hold the called Ace and must retain at least one card from the called suit. This retained card is often called the hold card.
The partner's identity is normally hidden until the called Ace is played.
**Example:**
Player C picks and announces:
"I call the Ace of Spades."
Player D holds the Ace of Spades. Player D is now Player C's secret partner.
Players A, B, and E are defenders.
The picker and partner work together to collect at least 61 points.
7. Step Six: Understand the Called Suit Rule
The called Ace rule is an important part of the picker role.
When the called suit is first led, the picker must generally play their retained card from that suit, while the partner must play the called Ace.
This reveals the partnership to the other players.
For example:
- The picker calls the Ace of Hearts.
- The picker keeps a Heart as the required hold card.
- The partner holds the Ace of Hearts.
- When Hearts are first led, both cards must be played according to the agreed rule.
The picker should not casually discard the hold card before the called suit is led.
Likewise, the partner should not play the called Ace prematurely.
If the called suit is never led during the hand, some rule sets require the cards to be played on the final trick.
8. Step Seven: Decide Whether to Play Alone
Sometimes the picker has a strong enough hand to believe they can win without a partner.
This is known as going alone or playing a loner.
When the picker announces this option, they play against all four other players in the five-player format.
Going alone can increase the reward or penalty under many scoring systems, but it is risky. The picker loses the support of a teammate and must collect enough points independently.
A player should consider going alone only when their trump control and point-taking potential are exceptionally strong.
The exact announcement and scoring consequences depend on the local rules.
9. What Happens If Everyone Passes?
If all players decline to pick, the group must follow its agreed all-pass rule.
Two common possibilities are:
**Leaster:** The objective changes. Instead of trying to win 61 points, players generally try to take the fewest points while still taking at least one trick.
**Forced pick:** The dealer may be required to take the blind, depending on the house rules.
Some tables use other procedures, including a doubler or redeal.
Players should establish the all-pass rule before the first hand.
10. Common Picker Mistakes
**Picking with too few strong trump cards:** A hand may look attractive because it contains valuable cards, but weak trump control can make winning difficult.
**Forgetting to bury the correct number of cards:** The picker must normally bury the same number of cards as were in the blind.
**Burying the called Ace:** In a Called Ace game, the picker must not call an Ace that is already in their hand or buried in the blind.
**Discarding the hold card too early:** The picker generally needs to retain a card from the called suit until that suit is first led.
**Calling a suit without checking the hand:** The picker should confirm that the called Ace is eligible under the rules.
**Revealing the partner too early:** The partner usually remains secret until the called Ace is played.
Frequently Asked Questions
### 1. What does the picker do in Sheepshead?
The picker takes the blind, buries the required number of cards, and tries to win enough points for the picking side.
### 2. Who gets the first chance to pick?
In the common five-player format, the player to the dealer's left gets the first opportunity. The choice then moves clockwise.
### 3. How many cards does the picker take from the blind?
In the usual five-player game, the picker takes two cards and then buries two cards.
### 4. How many points does the picker need to win?
The picking side generally needs at least 61 of the 120 available points.
### 5. How does the picker choose a partner?
In the Called Ace version, the picker names an eligible Ace from a fail suit. The player holding that Ace becomes the secret partner.
### 6. Can the picker play alone?
Yes. In many five-player versions, the picker can announce that they are going alone instead of calling a partner.
### 7. What happens if nobody picks?
The result depends on the house rules. The hand may become a Leaster, the dealer may be forced to pick, or another agreed procedure may apply.
### 8. Is the picker always the same player?
No. The dealer position usually moves around the table, and the opportunity to pick changes with it.
Conclusion
The picker role gives one player control over the blind and responsibility for leading the picking side. The process involves evaluating the hand, taking the blind, burying cards, and choosing a partner when the game uses the Called Ace method.
The most important skills are recognizing strong trump combinations, understanding the value of buried cards, and following the called-suit rule. Once these steps become familiar, beginners can understand the structure of Sheepshead and make more informed picking decisions.