🂾Pinochle

How to play Pinochle

Objective

Score points from melds and from counters won in tricks, reaching the target score first.

Setup

• A 48-card deck: two copies each of 9, J, Q, K, 10, A in every suit.
• Twelve cards to each of four players; bidding determines trump.

Rules

1. Card ranking is A, 10, K, Q, J, 9 — the Ten is the second-highest card.
2. After trump is named, players lay down melds: runs, marriages, pinochle (Q♠ + J♦), four-of-a-kind sets and dix.
3. In trick play you must follow suit and must win the trick if you can.
4. Aces, Tens and Kings are counters worth points; the last trick scores a bonus.
5. The bidding side must make its bid in melds plus counters or lose the bid amount.

Strategy tips

• A run in trump (A-10-K-Q-J) is 150 — bid up when you hold one.
• Pull trumps early to protect your Aces and Tens.
• Remember the Ten beats the King; it's the most-lost trick in the game.