what is skat

Skat primarily refers to a traditional German card game played by three players (though often four participate with one sitting out as dealer). It is Germany's national card game, originating around 1810 in Altenburg near Leipzig. The game uses a pack of 32 cards and involves bidding, trick-taking, and strategic play to fulfill various contracts. The goal of the declarer is to take at least 61 card points out of 120 to win a round, with special scoring rules for bonuses and winning margins. Skat holds a significant cultural place in Germany and is also played in neighboring countries and German communities worldwide. Additionally, "SKAT" is also known as the former Danish tax authority, which operated until 2018 before being reorganized due to scandals. In other contexts, "skat" is a term of endearment meaning "darling" or "treasure" in some South African slang. The most common and recognized meaning, especially in Germany and card game circles, is the card game.