If we suppose the game to be stopped at this point, the scores would be balanced as follows:
We take the three scores and bring them down on one line. We draw a line under them, and proceed as follows: First we take A, who has lost 7 to B, and from whom B has also won 88. This gives us 95 minus for A and 95 plus for B. We then compare A and C, and find that A owes C 26; put down as minus for A, plus for C. We now compare B and C, and find that B wins the difference, which is 69 points; put down plus for B, minus for C. Then we add up to see that the scores balance.
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| -7 | +88 | +19 |
| -95 | +95 | +26 |
| -26 | +69 | -69 |
| -121 | +164 | -43 |
The same method may be used when four play; but some prefer to call the lowest score zero, and so make all the others plus. Suppose the final scores were as follows:
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +186 | +42 | +344 | +116 | |
| +144 | 0 | +302 | +74 | = 520 |
| +4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| +576 | 0 | +1208 | +296 | |
| -520 | -520 | -520 | -520 | |
| +56 | -520 | +688 | -224 | |
If B is zero, his points are to be taken from those of each of the others, as B is plus. If the low score is a minus, the points must be added to each of the others. The three totals are added, and found, in this case, to be 520, which is the total of B’s loss. We now multiply the scores by the number of players engaged, in this case four, and from the product we deduct the 520 already found. Then the scores balance.
When Skat is played for the League stake, which is one-fourth of a cent a point, the results may be found in a still shorter way by adding up all the scores and taking an average, this average being the sum divided by the number of players. Take the results just given for example:—
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186 | 42 | 344 | 116 | = 688 ÷ 4 = 172 |
| 172 | 172 | 172 | 172 | |
| +14 | -130 | +172 | -56 | |
The average is simply deducted from each score, and the remainder is the amount won or lost, in cents.