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Right after I got married, my mother and father in law taught me the game of Pinochle. When I was in college, many of my friends would play the game in between classes. However, I never paid much attention to the game itself. At first Pinochle can be mind boggling. Once you have played the game a few times, it becomes a challenge to make yourself better. This can be accomplished by reading your cards closely and paying attention to those also playing the game with you. Many individuals find it a great way to keep your mind sharp.
Pinochle is a game that can be enjoyed by everyone. In the Midwest, many farmers and their neighbors play the game as a way of socializing with one and another. Snacks and drinks are shared as well as great conversation. Many games may pit men against women or couples might split partners.
In larger settings, where two or more tables are used, a pair of winners or losers may move to another table after a game. This keeps the game fresh. What if you have an odd number of players you say? No problem. Pinochle can be played five handed also.
A Pinochle set of cards consists of 48 cards in all going from the 9 spot through the Aces. There are two copies of each of these. That means there are two 9's, two 10's, two Jack's and so on. The more players that you have, then you can add another deck.
The main goal is to take a trick or as many as you can. Play usually rotates clockwise around the table. The playing time on a game can be anywhere from one to five hours.
Once the cards are all dealt out, the person to the left of the dealer places the first bid. This is where the fun begins. After looking at your cards, You place your bid by two factors. The number of points that you have and the number of tricks that you think you can get. Tricks are determined by the total number of cards that you have in one suit. What really helps is if you both Ace's and Both 10's of the same suit. If you have a lot of points, your game might open with an even number for a melt hand (point hand). If you have a strong playing hand (trump), then you would open with an odd number hand. This lets your partner(s) know what type of hand you have and they can bid accordingly.
Some games have single or two bids. Ā However, I have seen auction bids used. Once the bidding is over. the players lay out their points in front of them on the table, for all to see. Ā This will take some time. A run is a suit of 10 through Ace's = 150 points. If you have two of these it is 1500. A Jack of Diamonds and Queen of Spades is 40. Two of them is 300. Four Ace's is 100. If you have all 8 Ace's it is 1000. A marriage is a Queen and King of the same suite. They are worth 20 unless it is from the trump suit. It is 40. four Jacks are 40, Four Queens are 60, and four Kings are 80. If a player holds all of a set of Jacks, Queens, or Kings it is 10 times that amount.
There are other versions of points, too. However, what I have given you is the basics for points. Some games count 9's or 10's. But for the most part they don't.
Bidding starts at 150 or 155. Whoever takes the bid must make sure that they can make it with total points at the end of a hand. The most points are figured by adding your total points plus the points that you take in a hand. Those points taken in a hand count like the following. Ace, 10's, and King's are worth 10 points. some games count the King's and Queen's as five points each. That needs to be decided before a game begins by the players.
A pair of players that don't make their bid must give their bid points to the opposite pair of players. All they credit for is their melt (points they had at the beginning of the hand).
Most games will consist of four hands. Each player gets a deal. At the end all points are figured and the couple or individual with the most points is the winner. In some instances though, a game might go to 1500 points or 1000.
The game came from two countries France and Germany. During World War I, Syracuse, New York banned the game because of it's ties to Germany. However, the game was loved so much that it grew in popularity throughout the United States.
It is not unusual to see Pinochle parties throughout the US in many Civic Centers and Churches. I have seen it played at Wedding Receptions, Funeral dinners, Homecomings, picnics, and other places as well. It is a great way to pass time and have fun at the same time.
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