Game Guide
Pinochle
Auction for trump, score meld, win tricks
Overview
Pinochle is a trick-taking game played with a 48-card double deck. Teams bid for the right to name trump, then score points from their meld (card combinations) plus tricks taken.
Quick facts
- Players
- 4 players (2 teams)
- Format
- Team-based
Objective
Be the first team to reach the target score (default 1,500 points) through meld and trick points.
How Scorecard tracks Pinochle
The winning bidder names trump. Both teams score their meld points. The bidding team must beat their bid using meld + tricks, or they 'go set' and lose points equal to their bid.
Configurable rules
These settings can be adjusted when creating a match or saved as a custom ruleset.
Bid increment
Bids go up by 1 or 10 — choose which style your group plays.
Target score
Score needed to win (default 1,500 for 10-increment, 150 for 1-increment).
Minimum bid
The floor for the opening bid.
Save throw (25/250 rule)
If a set team would have scored at least 25 (or 250), they score 0 instead of losing their bid.
Count meld only
Allow teams that take 0 tricks to keep their meld points.
Renege penalty
Points transferred on a renege (default 50).
More about Pinochle
View Pinochle game page →