The title derives from a German phrase, meaning something ordinary. (Originally it came from a machine gun, used a lot in World War I, and was made popular because of a bestselling war novel and film of this title.) The game however is an abstract speed game. It consists of 108 cards in 9 colours, denoted "0", "8" or "15". Goal for each player is to collect the most card sets in one colour, consisting of one card of each number. Decks of each number are separated. "0" and "15" are each shuffled, and put as two face up stack on the table. "8" cards are shared evenly among players, and put as face down stacks in front of them. Determined by numbers of players, a given number of "8" cards are revealed from each players deck, and everybody tries to match the two face up cards from the common decks with their tableau. If they find the "0" matching to one of their "8", they put it below their card. A matching "15" they put on top of their "8". Once a set is complete, it is removed into a victory point pile and another "8" from the players deck takes it place. Game ends, as soon the decks are depleted.