Picket looks horribly complex when you start out, but it's pretty easy to pick up, and becomes smooth sailing after that. We played a number of games, and found it complex enough to be interesting, while not so complex as to be frustrating. It's easy to see why the game was popular for so long. Since the above account is so long and detailed, I provide a concise summary of the game. You can't learn from this summary, but it should make a good reference sheet.
Elder draws up to eight cards, peeks at the rest.
Dealer draws remaining cards, up to eight, may flip the rest. Winner of final trick wins one point, two if won with a ten. Player who took most tricks scores ten points, or 40 if he won all the tricks. Pique is if one player gets 30 points in a hand before the other gets any, and is worth 30. Repique is if this happens before starting the tricks, and is worth 60.