Play Pinochle Online — Free Card Game
Pinochle is a rich partnership game of melding and trick-taking played with a special 48-card deck. Bid for the right to name trump, score your melds, then win tricks for their counters. First team to 1500 wins. Play Pinochle free with a computer partner.
How to Play Pinochle
Each player gets 12 cards from a 48-card deck (two of every card from 9 up to Ace). Players bid; the high bidder names trump, the teams score their melds, then play out 12 tricks.
Melding and tricks
- Tens are high — they outrank Kings, Queens and Jacks in trick play, sitting just below the Ace.
- Score melds such as runs, marriages, pinochle (Jack of diamonds + Queen of spades), and 'arounds'.
- In tricks, follow suit and beat the trick if you can; you must trump if you cannot follow.
- Each Ten, King and Ace taken in tricks is worth 10, plus 10 for the last trick.
Making the bid
The bidding team must score at least their bid from melds plus tricks, or they 'go set' and lose the bid amount from their score.
Strategy & Tips
- Add up your meld before bidding — strong melds justify a higher bid.
- A long trump suit holding the Jack of diamonds and Queen of spades is gold (that's the pinochle meld).
- In trick play, pull trumps, then cash your Aces and Tens for counters.
- Don't overbid: going set hands the round to your opponents and costs you the bid.
- Track which counters — Tens, Kings, Aces — are still out before conceding tricks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Tens so high in Pinochle?
In Pinochle the Ten ranks just below the Ace, so it beats Kings, Queens and Jacks in trick-taking — and it counts for 10 points.
What is a pinochle meld?
The Jack of diamonds together with the Queen of spades. Holding both pairs (a double pinochle) is worth far more.
What score wins the game?
The first partnership to reach 1500 points, combining meld and trick scores across rounds.
Is Pinochle free to play?
Yes — free, with no sign-up or download, with a computer partner and opponents.
More Free Games
Enjoy Pinochle? Try another: