Team Pinochle The purpose of this site is to provide a variety of information in regards to team pinochle on the Case's Ladder, web resources, technical help, and a variety of other general information. It is especiall helpful if you are having problems getting into Yahoo game rooms or have problems when you leave (having to control/alt/delete) to get out. The site has for full details with illustrations on how to fix this problem.
National Championship Pinochle League (NCPL) The NCPL was created to embrace the game of pinochle, and those who play. Their goal is to bring together and provide a community format regardless of where or how people play, including but not limited to online gaming communities, live tournament events, and various nationwide local pinochle groups. They are excited about the launch of the National Championship Pinochle League and encourage you to check back often as they continue to grow.
American Pinochle Association The APA was formed in July 2003 to provide a professionally run Pinochle League for serious players. They will conduct online tournaments as well as live events. The APA is working with "ZooGames" to create a tournament system suitable for their needs. ZooGames currently has pinochle rooms online with a nice rating system in place.
ZooGames ZooGames is a relatively new online gaming community. They have a unique "Manual Meld" setting where players must find and choose their own meld... an added challenge for the more experienced players!
CLUBS
USA Pinochle Directory Guide to NPA Pinochle Clubs.
Yahoo! Pinochle Clubs Website Lists 47 various Pinochle clubs.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Double Deck Pinochle Everything you wanted to know about double deck pinochle.
PinochleLinks.com Find pinochle links, information, resources and more! Tons of pinochle resources!!
Power Pinochle Players (PPP) Online Current list subscribers: 561. Subscribe by entering your email address on their page. Coming soon - Players profiles, event schedules.
Pinochle Player's Website Lists various Pinochle clubs in the United States and has links to many Pinochle related sites.
ONLINE PINOCHLE GAMES
IPlay Pinochle Free! Follow instructions to download their program to play. IPlay sponsors are events where 100% of all entry fees are returned to the players in the form of prize money. See site for details.
Yahoo Pinochle Free! The easiest to use... follow instructions to play.
Click here to download a copy of these rules.
1. Before the game:a. Place your name on the tournament list and pay your entrance fee.
b. Remember your tournament listing number because you will be asked for it at each table by the score-keeper. It will be used to keep your score at each table and your total at the end of the tournament instead of your name.
c. Select a "chit" for your starting table number and seat position when the tournament is declared "ready." A minimum of three (3) tables are required for a tournament.
d. A Referee will be appointed by the tournament chairman to enforce the rules and to settle disputes.
2. The Game starts:
a. Go to your table number listed on the "chit."
b. Seating arrangement will be 1-2-3-4 clockwise. Odd numbers and even numbers should be partners.
c. Position 1 will start the "deal." Position 4 will keep score. If the player in position 4 can not keep score, assistance will be given by position 3 or 2.
d. The cards will be shuffled thoroughly and then offered to the opponent to the dealer's right to "cut" if he desires. Only one (1) "cut" is allowed. If anyone is not satisfied with the shuffle or the "cut," ask the Referee to make a ruling.
e. The cards will be "dealt" out 4 or 5 at a time to each player until each player has 20 cards. It is the responsibility of each player to ensure he has the correct number of cards. If an incorrect number of cards has been "dealt," the player or players that are "short" will select a card or cards from the player or players that have too many. The card or cards will be selected from cards that have not been looked at yet, if possible. If all cards have been looked at the "short" player will select card or cards at random from the "hand" that has too many.
3. Bidding:
a. First bid starts at the dealer's left. It must be a bid of 50 or more or a "pass".
b. If bidding, numbers only must be used. No "save," "by-me," or "single number" bids.
c. The bidding between 50 & 60 will be by 1's or multiples thereof. The bidding between 60 & 100 will be by 5's or multiples thereof. The bidding above 100 will be by 10's or multiples there of.
d. Various bids can be made indicating "aces" or a jump bid indicating more than "30 meld" as long as they conform with all other biding rules.
e. Bidder must have a marriage to take the bid (king & queen of the same suit). If you bid without a marriage or it was dropped on you and you don't have a marriage, you are "set" the bid or the minimum bid of 50 if bid was dropped. No trump will be named but opponents can "meld" if they have over 20. f. If you take the bid and have to pull more than 50 points to make your bid, the "hand" is not playable and the bidder is "set" the bid and the opponents get their "meld" if over 20.
g. If a player bids when it is not his turn, his partner cannot bid but the player that bid out of turn can still bid.
4. Meld:
a. All meld to be counted will be placed on the table in front of each player with the exception of "aces." Aces can be declared verbally by putting down the ace of trump and stating "I have aces."
b. Each player counts his own meld and it is verified by opponents and the score-keeper writes it on the score sheet. Once the first card is "in play," the meld can not be changed.
c. Meld values:
(1) (2) (3) (4) Jack in each suit 4 40 44 80 Queen in each suit 6 60 66 120 King in each suit 8 80 88 160 Ace in each suit 10 100 110 200 Pinochle 4 30 90 180 Run in trump 15 150 165 300 Marriage: 2 points. Marriage in trump: 4 points Round-house: 24 points. Double round-house: 160 points 5. Playing the game:
a. The high bidder names trump and starts the game with the first play. The play continues in a clock-wise direction. The winner of the "trick" gets to make the next play and so on.
b. No slapping or snapping of cards is permitted. No sliding or placing of cards that is not consistent.
c. No player may expose or play a card out of turn. If a card is exposed or played out of turn the card will be placed face-up on the table and played at the next opportunity that does not constitute a renege.
d. As the hand is played, the completed tricks will be turned face down and stacked in 1 neat pile by each side. No renege can be called if cards are mixed up. At the end of the "hand" that player will count the points won.
e. Playing more than one (1) card at a time is permitted but if either opponent can "beat" any one (1) of the cards played, they win all of the tricks that are left. No help from his partner is permitted or sequence of play may not be used.
f. Winners will stay at the table, losers will move to the next higher numbered table.
g. Cards will be drawn for partners to the next table, high card will play with high card and low card will play with low card.
6. What is a renege?
a. Declaring "aces" around and not having them or having "aces" around and not declaring them.
b. Not following the suit led if you have it in your "hand" (throwing off).
c. Not "beating the "trick" led if you can.
d. Not trumping a "trick" if you have trump and do not have that suit.
e. Commenting about your "hand" or 'played" cards (Talking across the table).
f. Not over-trumping a "trick" if you don't have the suit and can over-trump.
g. Not playing a trump on a "trick" that has been trumped even if you can't "beat" the trump played, if you don't have that suit in your "hand."
h. Trumping a suit that you have in your "hand."
i. A renege can be called after the offending "trick" has been turned face down and the next card has been played by the offending player. Changes to the last "trick" can be made and the game will resume. If a renege is called prior to this the person calling the renege is charged with the renege. A renege must be called before the 'hand" has ended. The hand ends when the cards are started to be counted by any player.
j. A renege may be called by the Referee for rules violation at anytime.
7. General rules of the game:
a. No talking about the game after the first card is played. This means meld, aces, trump, bidding or the play. (No asking "What's trump?" or "Can you beat the trick?")
b. When requesting to see the last "trick," That will be the last "trick" the requesting player has played on whether face up or face down. The "trick" may be looked at and may be changed if an error was made. (REF. Section 6 - I) It may not be discussed as to who played what.
c. 2 points will be given to the team that takes the last "trick" for that "hand."
d. To save your meld (20 points or more), you always have to win 20 trick points unless the other team fails to make the "board."
e. To make your bid, your meld points plus your trick points must equal or exceed your bid. The minimum of 20 trick points still applies. If you fail to get 20 trick points or make your bid, you go "set" the bid.
f. When naming trump, it has to be verbally stated or the first marriage that is placed on the table will be considered trump. No other cards will be placed on the table until trump is determined.
g. Pulling a "PINOCHLE" means winning all 50 "trick" points and does not mean all of the tricks. A "trick" could be won with no points on it. 250 points + your meld points are awarded.
h. Watching a game is not against the rules as long as there is no interference with the game or players. If any one player objects to the "watcher," the watcher must leave immediately.
8. Fees and fines.
a. A tournament entry fee is charged. (To be determined by club.)
b. A fine is assessed for not making a bid. (To be determined by club.)
c. A fine is assessed for a renege. (To be determined by club.)
9. Questions and answers:
a. Never argue. Ask to look at the rules and ask for a ruling from the referee or the chairman.
b. All decisions made by the referee or chairman are final.
c. Rules can be added, deleted or edited by the referee or chairman with input from the players.