If chips are used, there may be a central pile from which each player draws enough chips to represent the number of points he scores. The score may be kept with pencil and paper, or chips may be used. In this manner the last 12 tricks are played, after which the players count and score the points they have won in their tricks and melds. A player who cannot follow suit must trump if they have a trump. The winner of the preceding trick now leads, and the rules of the play are as follows: each player must follow suit to the card led if possible, and must try to win when a trump is led (by playing a higher trump). They show this card to their opponent, who draws the trump card (or the dix, if the exchange has been made). The winner of the twelfth trick may meld if possible, and then must draw the last face-down card of the stock.

The holder of the dix has the right to exchange it, upon winning a trick, for the trump card. They may count the dix and make another meld in the same turn. Thereafter, a player holding a dix may count it merely by showing it upon winning a trick. If the dealer turns a dix (pronounced 'deece') as the trump card, they score 10 points immediately. Once a card has been melded and placed on the table, it may be played to a trick as though it were in the holder's hand however, after it has been played, it may no longer be used to form a new meld. The player may put down Q♠ and J♦ for 40 points and, after winning a subsequent trick, they may add the K♠ and score for the marriage.

A player may not put down K♠, Q♠, J♦ and score both for the marriage and for the pinochle only one meld may be made in any turn. Melding is subject to the following restrictions:Ģ) For each meld, at least one card must be taken from the hand and placed on the table.ģ) A card once melded may be melded again, only in a different class, or in a higher-scoring meld of the same class.Įx. A player makes a meld by placing the cards face up on the table, where they remain until the player wishes to play them, or until the stock is exhausted. Upon winning a trick, and before drawing from the stock, a player may meld any one of the combinations that have value, as previously described. It is not necessary to follow suit.Īfter each trick, each player draws a card from the top of the stock to restore their hand to 12 cards the winner draws first. The leader may lead any card, and the opponent may play any card. When any other suit is led, the card led wins unless the opponent plays a higher card of the same suit or a trump. When a trump is led, it wins the trick unless the opponent plays a higher trump. The non-dealer leads thereafter the winner of each trick leads next. The PlayĮach trick consists of a lead and a play. The remainder of the pack forms the stock and is placed face down. The next card is turned up and placed on the table it is the trump card and every card of that suit is a trump. (The dix is the nine of trumps if the 48-card pack is used it is the seven of trumps if the 64-card pack is used.) The Dealĭeal 12 cards to each player, starting from the left, three or four cards at a time. Nines (and 8s and 7s, when the 64-card pack is used) have no point value.Ī,10, K, Q, J of trump suit (flush, or sequence) 150ĭix (lowest trump pronounced 'deece') 10

The values of cards taken in on tricks are: Less frequently, a 64-card Pinochle pack is used, which includes 8s and 7s as well. Rank of CardsĪ Pinochle pack consists of: A (high), 10, K, Q, J, 9 (low) in each of the four suits, with two of each card. The goal is to win tricks, so as to score the value of cards taken in on tricks and to meld certain combinations of cards having values in points.

Bicycle pinochle playing cards