Pinochle is a trick-taking and melding card game. You score by making melds before play
and by winning valuable cards in tricks.
The Deck
Pinochle usually uses a 48-card deck: two copies of A, 10, K, Q, J, and 9 in every suit.
Three Main Phases
Bidding: players compete to choose trump.
Melding: players reveal scoring combinations.
Trick Play: players play cards, follow suit when possible, and collect counters.
Common Melds
Pinochle: Q♠ + J♦
Marriage: K + Q of the same suit
Royal Marriage: K + Q of trump
Run / Flush: A 10 K Q J in trump
Aces Around: one Ace in each suit
Trick Play
One player leads a card. Others should follow suit when possible. Trump cards beat non-trump cards.
Highest card in the led suit wins unless trump is played.
Scoring
Trick points commonly come from Aces, Tens, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and the last trick.
Meld points are added before trick play.
Modes
Classic Pinochle
Beginner-friendly bidding, melds, and trick-taking.
Partnership Pinochle
Team-style 2 vs 2 play.
Cutthroat Pinochle
Every player for themselves.
Quick Pinochle
Faster arcade scoring.
No-Bid Practice
Practice melds and tricks without a full bidding system.
Strategy
Bid based on meld strength and trump potential.
Protect Aces and Tens because they score in tricks.
Watch trump carefully.
Look for Pinochle: Queen of Spades + Jack of Diamonds.