The Basics
Double Deck Pinochle consists of 4 players, partners that sit across from each other.
The deck consists of 80 cards containing A 10 K Q J in each of the four suits and with four identical copies of each card.
Deal and play are clockwise. All the cards are dealt to the players so that everyone has 20 cards.
In each suit the cards rank from highest to lowest, Ace, Ten, King, Queen, Jack.
The Concept
When the deal is complete, there is an auction in which the players bid the number of points their
team will try and take. Bidding continues until all but 1 player has passed. The winning bidder is
allowed to choose trump and lead to the first trick. The object for the winning bidder's team is to
take at least as many points as they bid. Points can be earned in 3 ways:
By winning counter cards - Aces, Tens or Kings in tricks. Each are worth 1 point.
By taking the last trick of the hand. Last trick is worth 2 points + any counter cards contained in the trick.
By declaring meld combinations contained in the players hand. (explained below)
The ZOO allows games to be played to 350, 400 or 500 points. If both teams meet or
exceed the selected end score on the same hand, the win is awarded to the bidding team
even if their final score is lower than their opponents.
Meld
Certain card combinations contained in a players hand are worth points. In order to claim these points,
the players must show their meld combinations to all players after bidding is complete and prior to the
start of the 1st trick. The table below shows the point value for possible meld combinations.
Bidding
The opening bid must be at least 50, but may be higher. Bid can be made in increments of 1 until
the bidding reaches 60 at which point increments of 5 are required. Each bidder must bid higher
than the previous bidder or the player may pass. Once you have passed, you may not re-enter the
bidding during that hand. Bidding continues until 3 players have passed.
Naming Trump
The winning bidder will select the trump suit after the bidding is complete. Trump can only be named
in a suit where the winning bidder has a marriage.
Displaying Meld
Once trump is named; players will declare and display their meld combination to the other players.
If the game is set to "Automatic Meld", the computer will do this for you. If the game is set to"Manual Meld", you must find and select your own meld combinations. If you miss any meld combinations
while in manual mode, you will not receive those meld points. If you have Aces around and do not declare
them, the other players at the table will be alerted that you have Aces around.
Playing the Hand
The winning bidder will lead to the 1st trick and play continues clockwise. A trick consists of one card
from each player and if it contains no trumps it is won by the highest card played of the suit led. If any
trumps are played to the trick, the highest trump wins the trick. If there are two or more identical cards
in a trick, the first of these cards which was played beats the others. The winner of a trick leads to the
next trick. When leading to a trick any card may be played. Each subsequent player must follow suit if they
can and must crawl. Crawl means that each player must play a card which is higher in rank than the winning
card that has been played to the trick so far. A player who cannot crawl must follow suit with any card
that will not win the trick.
If a player is void in the led suit, a trump must be played if possible. A player who cannot follow suit and
cannot beat the highest trump on the trick so far must still play a trump card. If a player cannot follow suit
and is void in trump, any card may be played.
If the led suit has been trumped, the crawl rule is not in effect and the player can play any
card of the led suit since no cards of the led suit can beat a trump.
Scoring - Team winning the Bid
When the hand is complete, if the winning bidder's team (meld + count) equal or exceed the bid
amount then (meld + count) are added to the teams cumulative score. If (meld + count) are less
than the bid, then the team is set and penalized the amount of the bid.
Scoring - Team not winning the Bid
The team not winning the bid must make a minimum count of 20 to score any points for the hand.
If a count of 20 is not achieved, no points are awarded. If 20 or more counters are taken, then
the team is awarded (count + meld) if the teams meld is 20 or more. If the team has less than 20
meld and a count of 20 or more is achieved, the team is awarded their count only.
Board Set
A board set penalizes the team winning the bid the amount of the bid. A board set can occur 2 different ways.
Winning bidder does not have any marriages
Combined team meld for winning bidder is less than 20
In the 1st case where the winning bidder does not have any marriages, the winning bidder's team is penalized
the amount of the bid. The team not winning the bid receives no points and the next hand is dealt.
In the 2nd case where the team meld of the winning bidder is less than 20, the winning bidder's team
is penalized the amount of the bid and the non winning bidder's team is awarded their meld points ONLY
IF their meld is 20 or greater. A game cannot end on a board set even if the end score is achieved by either team.
Bidding Strategies
There are many types of bidding strategies but the most common is refereed to as a "Meld Bid" which is explained
below. A meld bid is designed to communicate to your partner the value of the meld contained in your hand. It is
important to remember not to count a run (15 points) in your meld when communicating meld value to your partner
because your run suit may not be named as trump.
A bid one over the previous bid means that you want the bid and are looking for your partner to supply a meld bid if possible.
A 50 bid usually means I want the bid, but I'm looking for meld. This bid asks the partner to supply a meld bid if possible.
The 50 bid may also be a save bid if the bidder's partner is bidding last.
Bidding 51 usually means aces around if bid first.
2 over the previous bid or a 52 first bid means 16-24 meld.
3 over the previous bid or 53 first bid means 26-34 meld. This pattern continues until 59.
A jump bid is defined as going 10 or more above the previous bid at bid levels of 60 or more.
Generally a jump bid of 10 over the previous bid would require a minimum of 30 meld to be a realistic bid.
Covering Your Partner's Meld Bid
If possible, you should always try to cover your partner's meld bid. If the player that bids between
you and your partner passes, either meld bid back to your partner, or go one over if you have a marriage.
If your partner can take the bid, then he/she should bid back.
Manual Meld
ZOO Pinochle offers the option of manual meld when you setuP your game. If manual meld is selected, players
must find and submit their own meld combinations. If you miss any meld combinations, you do not get those points.
To consistantly submit meld without missing any combinations takes practice and a systematic approach. Try this method:
Select all your Arounds first - aces around, kings around, etc.
Next, select all marriage combinations.
Now check pinochle combinations.
Last, note the trump suit and select your run if you have one.
Find a method that you are comfortable with and use it every time on every hand.
It will soon become a reliable way for you to stay Consistant. Happy Melding!
