Pinochle

How to play

Four players in two partnerships play a 48-card pinochle deck — TWO copies of the 9, J, Q, K, 10 and A in every suit, and the 10 outranks the K.

Each hand, an auction starting left of the dealer sets the contract: bid higher than the standing bid (20 minimum) or pass — a pass is final, and if the first three players pass the dealer is stuck with 20.

The winner names trump and everyone's meld is revealed: runs, marriages, the dix, aces/kings/queens/jacks around, and the pinochle (J♦ + Q♠). Then play 12 tricks — follow the led suit if you can; if you're void you MUST trump if you can.

The highest trump wins, else the highest card of the led suit; of two identical cards the FIRST played wins. Each Ace, Ten and King captured is a point, plus one for the last trick (25 per hand).

A team's meld only counts if it wins a trick, and the bidding team must make its bid in meld + counters or go set and lose the bid instead. First team to 100 wins — if both cross in the same hand, the bidders win.

Simplified: single deck, no passing cards between partners, no obligation to overtrump.

Ways to play

• 🤖
  Against the computerPlay on one device against a computer opponent.
• 👪
  Play together, nearbyWith family and friends in the same room: up to 4 players, each on their own phone or tablet. No Wi-Fi or internet needed. In the Jambolaya app.
• 🎓
  Learn by playingA guided lesson on the real game teaches you the rules one step at a time.