The players score points in two phases of the game – the melding phase and trick-taking phase. A round includes six phases – dealing, bidding, exchanging, melding, trick-taking, and scoring. It is played with a 48-card pack, with two sets of 9s through Aces. The game is usually played between four players in two partnerships (partnership pinochle) or between three players playing individually (cutthroat pinochle). Pinochle is a trick-taking card game that involves the melding of cards. The name means eyeglasses or two eyes and refers to a myth that the game was developed from a deck of cards in which the Jack of Diamonds and the Queen of Spades were portraited, revealing only one eye each. The game was brought from Europe to the US in the 19th century. It either evolved from Bezique or may have originated in the Swiss and later became Binokel, a South German game descended from Bezique. The fun pinochle game originated about 150 years ago and is believed to have two origins. The next game night you have with friends or family, you will be able to boast your skills in the game of pinochle. If this game piques your interest, read on to know a little history about the game, then go on to learn the rules and gameplay. The standard variation played today is the partnership auction pinochle. This card game comes into the trick-and-meld category of card games that unfolds in three stages of bidding, melding, and tricks. The game was derived from another card game called Bezique, where players won tricks by melding cards and scoring points. Pinochle, also known as pinocle or penuchle, is one of the most popular trick-taking card games developed and played in the United States.

Pinochle classic