Pinochle cards from each player's discard pile are included in totals for a total of 240 counters per round, plus one counter for winning the final trick. One variation to make it more difficult for the bid-winning player, the discard pile created by drawing cards is used by the non-bidding player to score towards tricks. In Three-handed pinochle each player plays for him or herself. The dealer deals 15 cards to each player and three cards to the kitty—a separate pile in the middle. All players review their cards and silently determine their bids. The player to the dealer's left initiates
European Skat Championship European Skat Championship The European Skat Championship has been held biennially since 1979 by the world Skat organisation, the International Skat Players Association (ISPA), at various locations. It alternates with the World Skat Championship which has also been run biennially since 1978 by the same association. In addition to the title of European Skat Champion there are awards for a European Women's Champion, a European Youth Champion, a European Veteran's Champion and a European Women Veteran's Champion. In the 2009 European Skat Championship in Graz, Claudia Knape won the final against the men and became the European Skat Champion. The