Two Handed Pinochle
Pinochle is a classic trick-taking card game that originated in the United States. Played with a 48-card deck, it combines strategy, bidding, and scoring through two main phases: melding and playing tricks. The game is typically enjoyed by four players in partnerships.
Object of Pinochle
The objective of Pinochle is to score points by winning tricks and forming specific card combinations known as melds. Players aim to accumulate the highest number of points through effective bidding, strategic play, and capturing cards during trick-taking rounds.
Setup
Pinochle is played with two standard 52-card decks, minus the 2s through 6s, resulting in a 48-card deck. Each player receives 12 cards. The remaining cards are placed face down as the “kitty,” which may be used for drawing during gameplay.
Card ranking
In Pinochle, card values and rankings differ from standard poker hands. The order of rank, from highest to lowest, is: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, and 9. Trump cards are determined by the bidding process and override suit hierarchy during trick-taking.
Game play
The game proceeds in two main phases: phase one (bidding and melding) and phase two (trick-taking). Players bid based on the strength of their hand, with the highest bidder becoming the declarer. Melds are then declared for points before the actual trick-taking begins.
Phase one
During phase one, players assess their hands to determine potential melds and bid accordingly. The bidding process involves declaring the number of tricks a player believes they can win. Once bids are settled, the declarer selects the trump suit and discards two cards into the kitty.
Melding
Melding refers to the act of identifying and claiming specific card combinations for points. Common melds include sequences (like 9-10-J-Q-K-A), marriages (a king and queen of the same suit), and pinochles (the jack of trump and the ace of diamonds). These melds contribute directly to a player’s score.
Phase two
In phase two, players compete to win tricks by following suit or playing trumps. The declarer leads the first trick, and the winner of each trick gains points for captured cards. The goal is to meet or exceed the bid while maximizing points from both tricks and melds.