Binokel it developed into the similar game of Pinochle. Binokel is also played in Switzerland. Binokel belongs to the family of melding and trick-taking games. Unlike others in the family, special card combinations (family, 4 of a kind, etc.) score additional points. After the deal, there is an auction to bid for the "dabb" (stack of undealt cards c.f. Skat) or "tapp". Players bid depending on the card points they expect to score from taking tricks and making melds. The team with the highest bid has to win the game, i.e. score more points in tricks and melds than they bid.
German Skat Association German Skat Association The German Skat Association () or DSkV is the umbrella organisation for German Skat clubs. It was founded on 12 March 1899 in Halle an der Saale and the headquarters of the club is the Skat town of Altenburg. From 1954 to 2001, Bielefeld was the location of the Association's headquarters due to the division of Germany. The offices in Bielefeld were closed in 2005; since then, Altenburg has once again become the only head office location. Together with the International Skat Players Association (ISPA), the DSkV determines the international rules of Skat. An important organ of