Last Updated on May 8, 2026 by The Official Game Rules Team

“Pinochle” is a trick-taking card game typically played with a 48-card deck, where players form partnerships and try to score points by winning tricks and melding specific card combinations. Here’s a breakdown of the rules:

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How to Play Pinochle

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The Deck

Pinochle is played using a specialized 48-card deck. This deck includes two copies each of the following cards in all four suits: Ace (high), 10, King, Queen, Jack, and 9 (low).

In some versions, a 64-card deck is used, which adds 8s and 7s (also doubled in each suit).

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Objective of Pinochle

The objective is to win tricks and score points by:

• Capturing valuable cards during trick-taking.
• Creating melds—specific combinations of cards that earn bonus points.

More of a visual learner? Checkout our video tutorial at the bottom of the page!

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Card Ranks and Point Values

Trick Values:

• Ace – 11 points
• 10 – 10 points
• King – 4 points
• Queen – 3 points
• Jack – 2 points
• Last trick of the round – 10 bonus points
• 9s, 8s, and 7s – No point value

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Meld Scoring

Melds are declared combinations of cards, shown to score additional points. They are grouped into three classes:

Class A (Trump Melds):

• Flush (A, 10, K, Q, J of trump) – 150 points
• Royal marriage (K and Q of trump) – 40 points
• Marriage (K and Q in any other suit) – 20 points
• Dix (9 of trump, or 7 if using 64-card pack) – 10 points

Class B (Same-Rank Sets):

• All Aces (one of each suit) – 100 points
• All Kings – 80 points
• All Queens – 60 points
• All Jacks – 40 points

Class C (Pinochles):

• Single Pinochle (Q♠ + J♦) – 40 points
• Double Pinochle (Q♠ + J♦ twice) – 300 points

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Dealing

• Deal 12 cards to each player, usually 3 or 4 cards at a time.
• The next card is flipped face-up to designate the trump suit.
• The rest of the deck becomes the stock pile, placed face-down.

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Gameplay

Each round consists of a series of tricks:

• The non-dealer leads the first trick. Thereafter, the winner of the previous trick leads next.
• A trump card beats all other suits unless overruled by a higher trump.
• If a non-trump suit is led, the highest card in that suit wins unless a trump is played.
• Players can lead any card, and there is no obligation to follow suit.

After each trick, both players draw from the stock, starting with the trick winner, to return their hands to 12 cards.

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Melding Rules

After winning a trick and before drawing, a player may declare one meld by placing the cards face-up on the table.

Meld Rules:

1. Only one meld per turn is allowed.
2. At least one card must be newly played from the hand.
3. A card that has been melded may be used again, but only for a different meld class or a higher-scoring meld within the same class.

Example: You may not score both a marriage and a pinochle with K♠, Q♠, and J♦ in the same turn. However, you could play Q♠ and J♦ as a pinochle for 40 points, then add K♠ on a later turn for the marriage.

Once melded, a card may still be played in a trick. However, once used in a trick, it can no longer be reused for melding.

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The Dix Special Rule:

• If the trump card is a dix (9 of trump or 7 in 64-card pack), the dealer scores 10 points immediately.
• A player holding a dix may score it by showing it after winning a trick, and may meld another combination on the same turn.
• A player may also exchange the dix for the trump card after winning a trick.

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Endgame (The Playoff Phase)

• After the twelfth trick, players finish drawing the final cards: the trick winner draws from the stock; the other player takes the face-up trump (or the dix, if it was swapped earlier).
• From this point on:
  • Players must follow suit, if possible.
  • If a trump is led, the opponent must try to win by playing a higher trump.
  • If unable to follow suit, a player must play a trump, if they have one.

This final phase includes 12 last tricks, after which all trick and meld points are totaled.

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Scoring

You can keep score on paper or with chips:

• Meld points are counted immediately.
• Trick points are added after all play is complete.

Note: Round final scores are rounded to the nearest 10. For example:

• 87 points = 90
• 124 points = 120
• 125 points = 120
• Extra points are lost if they don’t round up.

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Winning the Game

There are two ways to play:

Single Deal (Quick Game):

• The player with the most points at the end of the hand wins.

Match Play:

• Continue rounds until a player reaches 1,000 points.
• If both reach 1,000 simultaneously, extend the game to 1,250, then 1,500, and so on, until a clear winner emerges.

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Declaring Out

At any time, a player may announce they’re declaring out. Play immediately stops and points are counted.

If the game was extended to 1,250 or 1,500 points, the declaration must meet the current target to win.

If they have 1,000 or more, they win the game—even if their opponent has a higher score.

If they fall short, they lose the game instantly.

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Video Tutorial

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Pinochle FAQ

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Similar Trick-Taking Games with Bidding & Melds

These games share core Pinochle elements like bidding, forming melds, and trick-taking.

• Bezique – The French ancestor of Pinochle, with similar meld scoring and two-player format.
• Schnapsen – A fast-paced German game with melds and trick play for two players.
• Belote – A classic French game that involves bidding, trumps, and melds, often seen as a cousin to Pinochle.
• Scat – Germany’s national card game, using trick-taking and bidding for three players.
• Euchre – A fast trick-taking game using a smaller deck, involving partnerships and trump suits.