Pinochle – Rules

Play Pinochle against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Pinochle came to the USA with German emigrants and has been popular there for over a hundred years – it's related to Bézique and Binokel. Every card exists twice. First comes the bidding, then everyone shows their melds (combinations in hand), and finally the counters are played for in tricks.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 48 cards: two each of 9, jack, queen, king, 10, ace in four suits.
• Ranking (high → low): A, 10, K, Q, J, 9. The ten beats the king.
• Counters in tricks: ace, 10 and king 10 points each, all others 0. Last trick +10. Total: 250.
• Identical cards: If two identical cards are played to one trick, the first one played wins.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, melds shown briefly, tricks face down.

3. Preparation and start

1. Deal: Everyone gets 12 cards (in packets of 3).
2. Bidding: Starting left of the dealer, each bids in steps of 10 (often starting at 200 or 250) or passes. A player who passes is out.
3. Trumps: The highest bidder names the trump suit.
4. Melding: Everyone shows their melds; each team adds them up.
5. Start: The highest bidder leads to the first trick.

Start example: You bid up to 300 and win the auction. You name hearts as trumps.

4. Goal and winning

• A hand: The bidding team needs melds plus trick points of at least its bid.
• Set: If they fail, the bid is subtracted.
• Opponents: always score their melds and trick points (if they take at least one trick).
• Game: The first team to 1500 points wins.

5. Play in detail

Melds.

A card may count in different kinds of melds (e.g. the queen of spades in a marriage and in a pinochle) but not twice in the same kind.

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Follow suit and – if possible – play higher.
3. If you can't follow, you must trump (and over-trump if possible).
4. The highest trump wins, otherwise the highest card of the suit; with identical cards the first one played.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Players 1 and 4 against Players 2 and 3. Player 1 bid 300, hearts are trumps.

1. Player 1 melds A-10-K-Q-J of hearts (run 150) and the queen of spades + jack of diamonds (pinochle 40): 190.
2. Player 4 melds aces around (100): Players 1 and 4 have 290 meld points.
3. They need just 10 more points in tricks – a single trick with an ace is enough.
4. At the end they take 140 in tricks: 290 + 140 = 430 – the bid of 300 is made, they score 430.

6. Scoring

• Recording: “We” and “They”.
• End: First team to 1500 points; if both reach 1500, the bidding team wins.

7. Special rules and situations

• Melds without a trick: A team taking no trick loses its meld points.
• Passing cards (variant): The highest bidder exchanges a few cards (e.g. 3 or 4) with their partner.
• Minimum bid: If everyone passes, the dealer must play at the minimum bid (variant).
• Revoke: Failing to follow, head or trump when required loses the hand for your team.
• Common mistakes: ranking the ten below the king; forgetting the duty to play higher; bidding high without melds.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: four players in teams, 48 cards, game to 1500.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play with the player opposite as your partner to 1500 or 1000 points, without passing cards.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Estimate melds: Work out your melds before bidding.
2. Count on your partner: A partner brings on average 50 to 80 meld points.
3. Long trump suit: Choose the suit you hold most cards in.
4. Cash aces: Aces and tens are counters – play them when they're safe.
5. Use the heading rule: It forces opponents to give up counters.
6. Last trick: 10 points – keep a trump.
7. Bid tight: A missed bid costs a lot.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 48 cards (two each of 9 to ace), 12 each.
2. Ranking: A, 10, K, Q, J, 9.
3. Bid in steps of 10; the highest names trumps.
4. Everyone shows their melds.
5. The highest bidder leads.
6. Follow suit, play higher, else trump.
7. Identical cards: the first one wins.
8. Ace, 10, king 10 each; last trick 10.
9. Bidders: melds + tricks ≥ bid, else minus the bid.
10. First team to 1500 wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

Why does the ten beat the king?

That's the traditional pinochle ranking: ace, ten, king, queen, jack, nine.

What is a pinochle?

The queen of spades and jack of diamonds together – 40 points, double 300.

May one card count in two melds?

Yes, if they're different kinds (e.g. marriage and pinochle).

What if we miss our bid?

The bid is subtracted from your score.

Who wins with two identical cards in a trick?

The one played first.

How long does a game take?

To 1500 points about 60 to 90 minutes.

Origin & history

Pinochle came to the USA with German immigrants in the 19th century and descends from the Swabian Binokel and the French Bézique. The name refers to the combination Queen of Spades + Jack of Diamonds. Today it is mainly played in the US Midwest.