Pinochle

48-card partnership game featuring bidding, meld scoring, and strict trick-taking rules.

Deck and Bidding

Played with a 48-card deck (two copies of 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in each suit). Four players in two partnerships.

Card rank in trick play: A > 10 > K > Q > J > 9.
Bidding starts at 250 in steps of 10. The highest bidder chooses the trump suit.

Melds and Trick Play

Melds: Runs in trump (150), Marriages (20/40), Pinochle (Q♠ + J♦ = 40), and Arounds (Aces 100, Kings 80, Queens 60, Jacks 40).
Play Rules: Must follow suit and win the trick if able. If void of the led suit, you must trump if able.
Counters (A, 10, K) taken in tricks score 10 points each; last trick wins 10 points. First team to 1,500 points wins.