What happens if a declarer’s contract is worth less than the bid in skat?

In the card game skat, if a declarer’s game value is found to be less than the amount they bid, the game is considered a loss.

Specifically, if the final value of the game is lower than the bid, it must be raised to the nearest appropriate multiple of the relevant base value that equals or exceeds the original bid before the score is calculated. Because all lost games in skat count double, this adjusted value is then doubled and deducted from the declarer’s aggregate score.1

If a player realizes during the game that their hand value has dropped below their bid—for instance, after picking up the skat—they may attempt to increase the game's value by declaring additional goals, such as schneider or schwarz, or by switching to a different, higher-valued contract. If no such options are viable, the player may choose to concede the game, which also results in a loss.1