Single Deck Pinochle Rules

Meld! !!!!! Meld Points! Points for Double Meld !!!!!! (1 of each suit) (2 of each suit) A,10,K,Q,J (Run in )!!!!15!!!150 9 (of Trump)!!!!!! 1!!! 2 K,Q Marriage (in Trump)!! ! ! ! 4!!! 8 K,Q Marriage (not Trump)!!!! 2!!! 4 J of Diamonds, Q of Spades (Pinochle)!!! 4!!! 30 around (1 of each suit)!!!!10!!!100 Kings around (1 of each suit)!!!! 8!!! 80 Queens around (1 of each suit)!!! ! 6!!! 60 Jacks around (1 of each suit)!!! ! 4!!! 40 K,Q Marriage of each suit (Roundhouse)!!24!!! N/A Run in Trump + Roundhouse!!!!35!!! N/A

Points (25 points, A,10,K=1 pt each, last trick=1 pt)

There are two ways to make points in Pinochle, with meld (see meld values above) and taking tricks. There are 25 points available when playing the hand (aka taking tricks).

Dealing

Count your cards before playing. Each person deals one hand, using the entire deck. (12 cards each). No re-deals are allowed once the has started. Any mis-deal will be treated as a renege to the dealer when mis-deal is discovered. If both teams have an incorrect number of cards, the hand is dead and no points are given.

Bidding (Assessing meld and strength of your hand to determine how many points you and your partner can take provided you take the bid. Taking the bid puts the highest bidder in control of the hand by calling a trump suit and having the lead play.)

Bidding starts at 16 or more. The highest bidder names trump (no meld is required). If all pass, the dealer must take the bid at 15. !

A ‘Save’ bid may be used.

Meld

Once the highest bidder is established they call trump and all players put their meld on the table. Once a suit is named trump, it cannot be changed.

Aces around must always be declared. If the bidding team fails to declare aces they loose their meld, tricks and take a set. If an opposing team member fails to meld or declare aces, that team loses their meld and tricks.

Additional meld cannot be declared once the hand is being played.

Continue on back Single Deck Pinochle Rules Playing the Hand

The bidder begins playing the hand by placing a card on the table. Every player must follow suit, beating the highest card on the table. When you cannot follow suit, you must trump, beating the highest trump on the table. If you can’t follow suit or trump, you can play any off-suit card (sluff). If a player fails to play as required, they may correct their play before the next trick is lead. (This is the only time a player can change their played card. What’s laid is played).

Whomever wins the trick leads the next card to continue playing the hand.

At the end of the hand, all tricks are counted and added to a team’s score. The bidding teams total points (meld + tricks) must meet or beat the bid. If the total is less, the bidding team takes a set. They loose all their meld, tricks and the bid is deducted from their score.

Regardless of the meld, both teams must take a counting trick to save their meld.

Renege (mis-played card, i.e. Failing to follow suit)

A renege can be established anytime after a trick is finished and the next card falls on the table. When and if someone calls for a renege, all play ceases. Cards are examined for the mis-play. If a renege is confirmed, all remaining points go to the non-offending team. If the bidding team reneges, they lose their meld, card count, and take a set (deduct the bid from their score).

If the non-bidding team reneges, they lose their meld and card count. The bidding team automatically makes their bid. What ever points are left unplayed go to the team that did not renege.

If someone calls for a renege incorrectly, that team loses their meld and points. If a member of the bidding team calls the renege incorrectly, they also take a set.

Three-Handed Tables

All rules listed above apply with the following exceptions.

!1. Each person deals one hand, using the entire deck. (16 cards each).

!2. At the end of the round, each player receives 35 points in lieu of a fourth hand.

!3. A player can only play two rounds at a three handed table. A player finishing a second round will advance to the next table along with the highest score of the other two opponents.

!4. If you begin playing at a three-handed table one week, you must begin play at a four- handed table the following week. !

(Revised January 2014)