Talk:Pinochle

message: Aren't runs worth 15, a pinochle 4, four aces worth 10, and so on?
As mentioned in the article, the scores are often divided by ten because the last zero is redundant.
I added this to double-deck section, also meld bidding.--Buckboard 08:39, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Scoring 

message: When two copies of the same card are played in the same trick who wins the trick?
Typically the highest card played first takes precendence.
First played is always the rule. That's what makes taking your opponent's ace of trump so sweet. IMO more fun than over-trumping.--Buckboard 08:47, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Resolving duplicate cards 

message: There is one method here mentioned that is not typical to the version of Pinochle that I am familiar with.  i.e. Leading with trump.  Is there any external verification to ensure that this is the standard of play?  If it cannot be verified is there a way that we can include a statement suggesting that leading with trump or not are simply two different ways to play?  Thanks.    ~Rymnel~
Agreed--I have never played this way, nor is it in my edition of Hoyle. Trump is declared by the bid winner, and strategy is the key to the game. The object is to play to your strength, which may vary from hand to hand (i.e. lots of trump, or lots of aces, or short-suited) and to get through to your partner for tricks after playing out your leads. That makes playing trump as the first lead not only pointless but frankly much less fun.--Buckboard 08:42, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Question on the "Playing Tricks" section

message: My family has used a sort of back-up option for if none of the players have a good enough hand to play.  We allow the first player to choose if they want to bid, and before the first bid, any player is allowed to call "Bid or Bunch" which means that they may bid if someone else does, or if the rest of the players say either "bid or bunch" or pass, then the hand is thrown in and the next hand is dealt.  We also increased the minimum bid to 25 (or 250 depending on method of scoring).  I wonder if anyone else has ever played this way, or if it is a family modification.  Thanks  --Emily
Curious variant. However we have always played "cut-throat"--which means if you're the dealer and everyone passes, you'd better be able to declare trump (marriage in trump suit). Making tricks or going set is always problematical when the bid is "dumped on" you!--Buckboard 08:45, 29 June 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: My family has always had "bid or bunch", but it's a little different.  Minimum bid is 25 (250) for 4-handed play, the first person can open or pass, same for the second.  The third person can then open, pass (dump the bid on the dealer) or ask the last person (the dealer) to "bid or bunch".  If the dealer wants to bid, they do, otherwise it gets tossed in and the hand is redealt.  I've been told that's North Dakota rules, but I'm sure others in North Dakota have different rules.  We can also throw in the hand if somebody has 5 nines (the person holding that hand can play it if they want, but usually they don't want to).  We allow some limited talking to the partner (they can ask their partner if it's okay to throw it in), but I'm sure that's not standard. Nerfer (talk) 16:31, 19 October 2016 (UTC)
thread_title: Bunch?

message: Would it be easier to try and reorganize a lot of the information on this site into seperate pages? For instance, have one page specifically for two handed variations, another for three handed, four handed, etc. And include single and double deck underneath each. Just a thought, as there's several variations on the main page. Uzerzero 01:25, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Separate pages?

message: In the version I have played, the dealer is allowed to deal in groups of three, four, five so long as all players get the same number of cards on a given round of the deal.  Here are some of the options:
3-3-3-3-3  or 4-4-4-3 / 4-3-4-4 etc or  5-5-5.  The 5-5-5 option is generally employed only near the end of a close game.Watercat77 19:16, 25 September 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Dealing options 

message: The deal of 20 per player and 4 in the blind calls for a deck of 124 cards. Since the standard double deck is 80, what additional cards are included for six players?  Are there two teams of three players each? -- 69.153.27.57
I can't find an actual reference for the variation called Racehorse Pinochle in three relatively modern playing card books:
# U.S. Play Card Company's Official Rules of Card Games. 90th edition.
# Frey's According to Hoyle.
# Scarne on Cards, 1965.
I think "Racehorse" is just a variation of six-hand.  Some Web sites suggest it's a variation that allows card passing by the bid winner.  I don't know.
The six-handed games I read in those sources suggest using a triple pack and dealing 16 or 12, not 20. --71.169.128.3 01:08, 13 October 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Question on Racehorse 

message: A lot of contributions have been made this month to the article, some more speculative than others and some more helpful than others, but I've tried cleaning them up just now.  Try viewing the diff from November 7, 2006 to today, it may give a substantive synopsis of what's changed recently. Happy editing, --75.69.1.233 01:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  December 2006 changes 

message: I have an idea for a picture for this article.  How about a photograph of a decent Pinochle hand, or perhaps a bunch of melds laid out.  The Euchre article has the best hand shown in a picture. --75.68.201.229 20:45, 23 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Idea for picture 

message: In Turkey we're playing a variant of Pinochle, which I couldn't find anywhere in wikipedia. The difference is, there're 96 cards (4 times 24 deck), can be played only with 2 players, each player has a hand with 9 cards, non-trump run is also awarded. For counting the points we're using a wooden counter special for this game.
There's one more variant of this game, which is played by 3 players, with 80 cards (4 times 24 deck without nines). Each player has a hand of 25 cards, and 5 cards are kept closed until the end of bidding.
Is there anyone who knows if these games are also played in other countries? Is there any english name for these card games? iyigun 17:16, 28 May 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Pinochle variant in Turkey 

message: I was prison where I learned to play this version prefered for gambling for inmates. As it is 2 players against 1. I cannot find any information about it. Please help.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.139.179.67 (talk) 19:46, 5 January 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  3 hand double deck 5 card kitty 

message: === Setup ===
Here is a variation of pinochle that we use in our household.  It creates quite an interesting game.
We use two decks of pinochle cards (96 cards, 4 of each variety of card, numbered 9-A).
==== Dealing Order ====
Round	To Player	To Blind
1    	3        	0
2    	4        	1
3    	4        	1
4    	4        	1
5    	4        	1
6    	4        	0
total	23       	4
=== Bidding ===
We start the bidding out at 35, until all pass to the highest bidder.  The winner of the bid calls trump.  The only requirement for making trump is that you must have some in your hand.
==== Bidder Picks up Blind ====
After trump is called, and before melds are made, the bidder gets the blind, showing everyone what the blind is.
=== Melding ===
Melding begins using the following table:
==== Meld Possibilities ====
Cards                               	X1	X2 	X3 	X4
Run (A,10,K,Q,J of trump)           	15	150	500	---
Royal Marriage (K,Q of trump)       	4 	30 	60 	240
Dix (9 of trump)                    	1 	2  	3  	4
Common Marriage (K,Q off suit)      	2 	4  	6  	8
Pinochle (J♦,Q♠)                    	4 	30 	90 	360
Aces Around (A♠,A♣,A♥,A♦)           	10	100	500	---
Kings Around (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦)          	8 	80 	400	500
Queens Around (Q♠,Q♣,Q♥,Q♦)         	6 	60 	300	500
Jacks Around (J♠,J♣,J♥,J♦)          	4 	40 	200	500
Round Robin(K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦)	26	260	500	---
If "Round Robin" is used, cannot count the "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" used for "Round Robin".  But if another "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" the double amount may be used for the additional type of cards.  Also the "Run" includes a Royal Marriage, but if an additional Royal Marriage is held it can count for a double.
===== Meld Example =====
* K♠,K♠,Q♠,K♣,K♣,Q♣,K♥,K♥,Q♥,K♦,K♦,Q♦ = (K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦) (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦,K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦) = "Round Robin" + Double "Kings Around" = 26 + 80 = 106
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" = 15 + 30 = 45
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠,J♦,J♦,J♦ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) (Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♦,J♦,J♦) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" + Triple "Pinochle" = 15 + 30 + 90 = 135  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 04:33, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Double-Deck Four-Handed Blind Pinochle 

message: Melding begins using the following table:
==== Meld Possibilities ====
Cards                               	X1	X2 	X3 	X4
Run (A,10,K,Q,J of trump)           	15	150	500	---
Royal Marriage (K,Q of trump)       	4 	30 	60 	240
Dix (9 of trump)                    	1 	2  	3  	4
Common Marriage (K,Q off suit)      	2 	4  	6  	8
Pinochle (J♦,Q♠)                    	4 	30 	90 	360
Aces Around (A♠,A♣,A♥,A♦)           	10	100	500	---
Kings Around (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦)          	8 	80 	400	500
Queens Around (Q♠,Q♣,Q♥,Q♦)         	6 	60 	300	500
Jacks Around (J♠,J♣,J♥,J♦)          	4 	40 	200	500
Round Robin(K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦)	26	260	500	---
If "Round Robin" is used, cannot count the "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" used for "Round Robin".  But if another "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" the double amount may be used for the additional type of cards.  Also the "Run" includes a Royal Marriage, but if an additional Royal Marriage is held it can count for a double.
===== Meld Example =====
* K♠,K♠,Q♠,K♣,K♣,Q♣,K♥,K♥,Q♥,K♦,K♦,Q♦ = (K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦) (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦,K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦) = "Round Robin" + Double "Kings Around" = 26 + 80 = 106
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" = 15 + 30 = 45
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠,J♦,J♦,J♦ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) (Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♦,J♦,J♦) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" + Triple "Pinochle" = 15 + 30 + 90 = 135  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 04:33, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Melding 

message: Cards                               	X1	X2 	X3 	X4
Run (A,10,K,Q,J of trump)           	15	150	500	---
Royal Marriage (K,Q of trump)       	4 	30 	60 	240
Dix (9 of trump)                    	1 	2  	3  	4
Common Marriage (K,Q off suit)      	2 	4  	6  	8
Pinochle (J♦,Q♠)                    	4 	30 	90 	360
Aces Around (A♠,A♣,A♥,A♦)           	10	100	500	---
Kings Around (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦)          	8 	80 	400	500
Queens Around (Q♠,Q♣,Q♥,Q♦)         	6 	60 	300	500
Jacks Around (J♠,J♣,J♥,J♦)          	4 	40 	200	500
Round Robin(K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦)	26	260	500	---
If "Round Robin" is used, cannot count the "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" used for "Round Robin".  But if another "Kings Around", "Queens Around", or "Marriages" the double amount may be used for the additional type of cards.  Also the "Run" includes a Royal Marriage, but if an additional Royal Marriage is held it can count for a double.
===== Meld Example =====
* K♠,K♠,Q♠,K♣,K♣,Q♣,K♥,K♥,Q♥,K♦,K♦,Q♦ = (K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦) (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦,K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦) = "Round Robin" + Double "Kings Around" = 26 + 80 = 106
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" = 15 + 30 = 45
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠,J♦,J♦,J♦ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) (Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♦,J♦,J♦) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" + Triple "Pinochle" = 15 + 30 + 90 = 135  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 04:33, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Meld Possibilities 

message: * K♠,K♠,Q♠,K♣,K♣,Q♣,K♥,K♥,Q♥,K♦,K♦,Q♦ = (K♠,Q♠,K♣,Q♣,K♥,Q♥,K♦,Q♦) (K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦,K♠,K♣,K♥,K♦) = "Round Robin" + Double "Kings Around" = 26 + 80 = 106
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" = 15 + 30 = 45
* A♠,10♠,K♠,K♠,Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♠,J♦,J♦,J♦ = (A♠,10♠,K♠,Q♠,J♠) (K♠,Q♠,K♠,Q♠) (Q♠,Q♠,Q♠,J♦,J♦,J♦) = "Run" + Double "Royal Marriage" + Triple "Pinochle" = 15 + 30 + 90 = 135  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 04:33, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Meld Example 

message: After play is completed, player who gets last trick gets the four cards thrown in the "blind".  
==== Trick Points Added ====
Points are then added from tricks and "blind" based on the following:
Card          	Points
A's           	1
10's          	1
K's           	1
Last Trick    	2
Total Possible	50
==== Penalties Incurred ====
If one team recieves no trick points, that team cannot count their meld and the opposing team receives another 50 points for a total of 100 points.
If bidder does not make the bidded amount when adding meld to trick points, the bidder receives no points for the round and, actually, loses the amount bidded as a penalty for over-bidding.
—Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 03:15, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Hand Exhausted 

message: If one team recieves no trick points, that team cannot count their meld and the opposing team receives another 50 points for a total of 100 points.
If bidder does not make the bidded amount when adding meld to trick points, the bidder receives no points for the round and, actually, loses the amount bidded as a penalty for over-bidding.
—Preceding unsigned comment added by 12.227.185.163 (talk) 03:15, 10 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  Penalties Incurred 

message: This site has documented 4 handed pinochle in a comprensive series of documents.  There is also a pinochle hand evaluator program.  Although there are many variations of the game, this version captures a truly addictive method of playing this game.
Website  —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sbcnslt (talk • contribs) 23:02, 16 August 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Comprehensive Pinochle Documentation 

message: This article had the rules and melds of different pinochle games listed as standard which would confuse the novice. Since the standard game these days is pretty much partnership auction pinochle and the rules already posted were about 90% correct for this version I have removed the rules that are only in variant versions and put them in their respective variant entries. I'm sure there is more work to do but it's a start. Melds can be a sticky wicket since there are so many house versions. I stuck with the two versions of Hoyle I own and the Bicycle card website. Fyunck(click) (talk) 08:59, 10 January 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: We should put a statement that many regional or family variations exist (details on passing, minimum opening bid, bid-or-bunch, throwing it in on 5 nines, etc.)  I don't know of other card games that have that much variety. Nerfer (talk) 16:44, 19 October 2016 (UTC)
thread_title:  Blurring of rules 

message: The discussion regarding the kitty in a three player games is a bit confusing. I am not sure if this is simply poor writing or an attempt to list variations. In one sentence it states the non-scoring cards are discarded by the bid winner; later it states that any cards may be discarded. In the version I am used to, any cards may be discarded, and in fact, discarding scoring cards which are unlikely trick winners is a wise strategy. But others may play differently, so I am hesitant to edit this. Wschart (talk) 03:50, 16 January 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: It took me a second... actually the "kitty" is money or points given to an imaginary 4th player in a 3 player game of pinochle. But I read it and you are talking about the "widow." I agree it was badly written and confusing. I checked 3 sources and all agreed on how the widow is played. You may discard any three cards that "aren't melded." So you would take the widow, lay down your meld, dump any three cards remaining in your hand, and then pick up your meld. I fixed the article wording to reflect this and I hope that helps clarify. I'm sure there are many 3-player house rules and if you can find one on the internet simply add it to the end of the 3-player game under "variations" with a proper source. Good catch on the wording. Fyunck(click) (talk) 08:23, 16 January 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: Back after some time. This section looks pretty good now, except that it says that if you don't have enough cards left in your hand, you can pick up meld cards. But it does make it clear that if you do so, you lose that meld. Of course, there just might be a version where you can meld a bunch and then if you have less than 3 cards in your hand, you can discard meld and still keep the score, but I'd rather doubt that. Wschart (talk) 15:40, 26 February 2016 (UTC)
thread_title:  Kitty in three player games 

message: I would propose, for sake of lay readers, that a new major section be introduced, after the History and Deck sections, that gives a broad overview of game play. As it is, the article becomes too detailed, too quickly, losing readers wanting to first understand the overall nature of the game. Until the Deck section it is suitably useful; after, it leads one to close the window, and seek initial information elsewhere.  00:42, 1 December 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Proposal for a major change 

message: Hello fellow Wikipedians,
I have just added archive links to  on Pinochle. Please take a moment to review my edit. If necessary, add  after the link to keep me from modifying it. Alternatively, you can add  to keep me off the page altogether. I made the following changes:
*Added archive http://web.archive.org/web/20090413014707/http://www.playpin.org:80/ to http://www.playpin.org/
When you have finished reviewing my changes, please set the checked parameter below to true to let others know.
Cheers.—cyberbot IITalk to my owner:Online 13:22, 27 February 2016 (UTC)
thread_title:  External links modified 

message: Ref: Will Eisner’s story “Cookalein”, in the full page scene “Pinkus Firs”. (I only have a German version, sorry.) – Fritz Jörn (talk) 06:07, 19 February 2017 (UTC)
thread_title:  “favorite card game of American Jews”