widespread card game, especially in Germany; developed in Altenburg/ Thuringia at the beginning of the 19th century from elements of other games such as L`hombre, Tarock and Schaftskopf. Skat is played today according to the rules of the German Skat Association; 32 cards, German or French suits, 3 players of which one always plays alone against the other two. Skat is a game of pips and tricks; colour ranking: clubs = 12 pips, spades = 11 pips, hearts = 10 pips, diamonds = 9 pips. The German Skat Association was founded in Altenburg/ Thuringia in 1899 and has been based in Bielefeld since 1950. The German Skat court (founded in 1927) can clarify game related technical matters of dispute according to the rules of the Skatordnung (International Laws of Skat).
Source: www.wissen.de