Karnoffel

Sympkyn of the Moor

Number of players: 4(2 teams of 2)
Type of game: Cards Period: 1426+

Karnöffel is one of the oldest known European card games still recorded today, dating back to the 15th century. Its odd rules, power-reversing trumps, and colourful names made it wildly popular in medieval German-speaking lands. It is the ancestor of many European trick-taking games.

History of Karnöffel

  • First Recorded: 1426, in Nördlingen, Germany.

  • Origins: Played during church festivals and town games, especially Shrovetide and Fastnacht celebrations.

  • Name Meaning: Likely from the Middle High German karnöffeln, meaning “to beat or thrash”, possibly referencing the beating of one’s opponents—or festive chaos.

  • Surviving Relatives: Though Karnöffel itself is rare today, it inspired many trick-taking card games, such as Watten, Bauernfangen, and even the Swiss game Kaiserspiel.

Traditional Rules of Karnöffel (Reconstruction)

Since original rules were mostly passed orally, modern versions are reconstructions based on 15th–17th century texts and descendants.

Players and Deck

  • Players: 4 (two teams of two)

  • Deck: German-suited 48-card deck (remove 8s and 9s from a 52-card deck to replicate it)

  • Suits: Acorns, Leaves, Hearts, Bells (or approximate with Spades, Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds)

Card Ranks (non-trump suits)

| Rank (High to Low) | Ace > King > Ober (Queen) > Unter (Jack) > 10 > 7 > 6 > 5 > 4 > 3 > 2 |

Trump Suit: The Karnöffel Suit

  • One suit is chosen at random as the Karnöffel (trump) for each deal.

  • In the Karnöffel suit, normal rankings are disrupted — certain cards have strange powers or low status:

Card Role in Karnöffel Suit
Unter (Jack) Karnöffel – one of the strongest
King Pope – also strong, nearly unbeatable
Ober (Queen) Often weak or powerless
7 Emperor – beats everything except Pope
Other cards Variable strength or worthless

(Note: exact roles vary by region or ruleset)

Gameplay Overview

Dealing

  • Each player gets 5 cards.

  • One suit is randomly chosen as the Karnöffel suit (trump).

  • No one may look at the rest of the deck after dealing.

Playing a Trick

  • Forehand leads a card. Other players follow in order.

  • Players do not have to follow suit.

  • Highest card of the led suit or highest trump wins the trick.

  • Team that wins 3 of 5 tricks wins the round.

Communication & Strategy

  • Karnöffel is known for its boisterous, loud play, often with mock titles and shouting.

  • Partners may bluff or gesture but not openly declare cards.

Victory Conditions

  • First team to win a set number of rounds (e.g. 3 or 5) wins the match.

  • Optionally, track points or coins wagered on each round.

Optional and Variant Rules

Because Karnöffel was passed orally, you can choose from many variations:

1. Special Powers by Name

Use thematic medieval names and roles:

Name Card Power
Pope Trump King Unbeatable except by Emperor
Emperor Trump 7 Beats all but Pope
Karnöffel Trump Jack Powerful but beatable
Devil Trump 2 Always loses

2. Silent Deal

No one knows the trump suit until one is played.

3. Declared Roleplay

Players must call out their cards (“The Pope speaks!”) when playing trumps.

4. Punishment Games

Losing team does a forfeit (sing a song, bring drinks, etc.), a nod to the game’s rowdy tavern history.

Summary Table

Category Details
Players 4 (two teams)
Deck 48-card (German suited or modified 52-card)
Trumps One suit per deal (Karnöffel)
Play 5 tricks per round, team wins with 3
Trump Powers Karnöffel (Jack), Pope (King), Emperor (7), etc.
Victory First team to a set number of round wins