Printable Pinochle Rules (PDF): One-Page Cheat Sheet
Quick answer
These printable pinochle rules (save them as a PDF from the print window) fit on one page: the deal, bidding, passing, every meld value, the trick rules and scoring for the four-player game, plus a note for two players. Black ink, large print, US Letter or A4.
Pinochle — Rules on One Page
Setup
4 players, 2 teams; partners sit across. 48-card deck: two each of 9, 10, J, Q, K, A in every suit. Deal all cards, 3 at a time: 12 each.
Rank, high to low: A, 10, K, Q, J, 9. Of two identical cards, the first played wins.
Bidding
- Left of dealer starts. Bid or pass; a pass is final.
- Lowest bid 250, then steps of 10.
- If the first three pass, the dealer must bid 250.
- High bidder names trump.
- Partner passes the bidder 4 cards; bidder passes 4 back.
Meld (show, score, pick up)
| Run | A, 10, K, Q, J of trump | 150 |
| Royal marriage | K and Q of trump | 40 |
| Marriage | K + Q, other suit | 20 |
| Dix | 9 of trump | 10 |
| Aces around | One A in each suit | 100 |
| Kings around | One K in each suit | 80 |
| Queens around | One Q in each suit | 60 |
| Jacks around | One J in each suit | 40 |
| Pinochle | J♦ and Q♠ | 40 |
| Double pinochle | Both J♦ + both Q♠ | 300 |
Run: With an extra K or Q of trump: 190. With both: 230. Double run 1500. Double aces / kings / queens / jacks around: 1000 / 800 / 600 / 400.
A card may count again only in a different kind of meld: K♠ Q♠ + J♦ = marriage 20 + pinochle 40 = 60.
Play
- Bidder leads the first trick. Winner leads next.
- Follow suit if you can. If you can't, play a trump.
- Always beat the winning card if you can.
- Highest trump wins; else highest card of the suit led.
Counters
A, 10, K = 10 each (24 cards). Q, J, 9 = 0. Last trick = 10. Total 250 per hand.
Scoring a hand
- Bid made (meld + counters ≥ bid): bidders score it all.
- Set (short of the bid): bidders lose the bid, score nothing else.
- Other team scores its counters, and its meld if it took a counter or the last trick (dix always counts).
- Throw in before play: bidders lose the bid; other team scores its meld.
Winning
First team to 1500. If both pass it on the same hand, the bidders win.
Two players
12 each; turn up the next card for trump; rest is the stock. While the stock lasts: play any card; trick winner may meld once, then both draw. First dix swaps for the trump card. Stock gone: pick up melds, follow suit, trump, and win if you can. Game to 1200 (or 1000).
Free from cards51.com · full rules: /pinochle/rules/ · meld chart: /pinochle/meld-chart/ · play online: /pinochle/
Rules that match our pinochle game and rules page
This sheet is a short version of how to play pinochle, with the same numbers our free game uses. If your family plays a different minimum bid or game length, write it in the margin before you start.
For pictures of every meld, print the pinochle meld chart. To check a hand's score, use the pinochle score calculator.
If you like Pinochle, try
Euchre
2–4 players · 20 min · Learn in a game or two
Partners, trump and the two bowers. Take three tricks of five.
Canasta
2–6 players · 60 min · Learn in a game or two
Meld sevens of a kind with your partner. Red threes are a bonus.
Cribbage
2–4 players · 20 min · Learn in a game or two
Race your pegs to 121. Count fifteens, pairs and runs.
Questions people ask
Is there a pinochle rules PDF?
Yes. Press “Print the rules” on this page and choose “Save as PDF” in the print window. You get one page with the deal, bidding, meld values, trick rules and scoring.
What size does the rules sheet print?
One US Letter page, portrait, in black ink. It also fits A4.
Which pinochle rules does this sheet use?
The classic four-player partnership game with one 48-card deck: minimum bid 250, pass 4 cards, game to 1500. A short note covers two players.
Is there a printable meld chart too?
Yes. Our printable pinochle meld chart has every meld with card pictures, in large print. It pairs well with this sheet.