Two-Handed Pinochle

Two-Handed Pinochle is a distinct variation of Pinochle, differing significantly from Auction Pinochle. While the melds are the same, they are progressive and made one at a time during play, which has unique rules.

Game Setup

The dealer (Player A) deals 12 cards to the other player (Player B) and himself, dealing by threes or fours. The next card is turned face up and partially slid under the deck, marking it as the trump suit. If this card is the Dix (Nine of Trump), the dealer scores 10 points immediately as a head start.

Game Play

Lead and Play

  • The non-dealer (Player B) leads any card.
  • The dealer (Player A) may respond with any card, not required to follow suit or play a trump at this stage.
  • The usual rules apply: Player B wins the trick unless Player A plays a higher card of the same suit or trumps a non-trump lead.

Melding

  • The winner of the trick can meld if they have a valid combination.
  • Whether or not a meld is made, both players draw cards to maintain 12-card hands, with the trick winner leading the next round.
  • Melded cards are placed face-up but can still be played later. This allows players to save key cards for future melds.

Special Melds

  • A player with a Dix (Nine of Trump) may exchange it for the face-up trump card beneath the deck after winning a trick. If a second Dix is melded, it is only shown, not exchanged.

Final Play

When the deck is depleted, the final face-up card (the last Dix) is drawn. Players collect their melded cards, and from this point, standard Pinochle rules apply:

  • Players must follow suit if possible.
  • If unable to follow suit, they must trump. If out of trumps, they may discard any card.
  • Any trump lead must be over-trumped if possible.

Scoring

After all tricks are played each player counts their “counter cards” (Aces, Tens, and Kings) from their tricks, adding these points to their meld score. The last trick earns an additional 10 points.

The game continues until one player reaches 1,000 points and is declared the winner. However, players can agree to extend the game to 1,250 or 1,500 points if both reach 1,000 simultaneously.

Special Rules for Melding

Melding Mechanics

  • Melds must be made one at a time.
  • A valid meld requires at least one new card from the hand. For example, Four Kings (80 points) and four Queens (60 points) cannot immediately be melded into marriages. Instead, meld incrementally, four Kings (80 points), a Royal Marriage (40 points), two Plain Marriages (20 points each), and finally the fourth Queen (60 points). This totals 220 points.

Round House

  • Some players allow the “Round House” (four Kings and four Queens) as a complete meld worth 240 points, similar to other Pinochle variations.

Sequential Melding

  • A Royal Marriage (King and Queen of Trump, 40 points) can later be upgraded to a full sequence (Ace, Ten, King, Queen, and Jack of Trump) for 150 points.
  • Once a sequence is melded, components cannot be reused for separate melds.

Double Pinochle

  • Traditionally, Double Pinochle (two Jacks of Diamonds and two Queens of Spades) could score 300 points if melded all at once. However, most players now score each Pinochle as 40 points. Agree on the rules before starting.

Dix Rules

  • A Dix can be melded along with another combination (e.g., a Plain Marriage for 20 points and a Dix for 10 points).
  • If a Dix is exchanged for a trump card, the trump can be used immediately in a meld. For example, exchanging a Dix for a Queen and melding it with a King of Trump earns 50 points.

By carefully managing melds, tracking scores, and strategizing play, players can maximize their chances of reaching 1,000 points and securing victory.

No comments

Leave a Reply

Online Now

  • Jim

    Rating 2166
  • rudy

    Rating 1523
  • Durham

    Rating 2289
  • Nuchologist

    Rating 1421
  • Snoman

    Rating 3671
  • StillTraveler

    Rating 1968
  • Suzie

    Rating 150
  • Star

    Rating 1189
  • Papi Shampoo

    Rating 582
  • Owen

    Rating 1248
  • win

    Rating 2137
  • Hucka Buck

    Rating 471
  • snake

    Rating 2163
  • JodyBro

    Rating 1909
  • megha

    Rating 1409
  • Connor

    Rating 1580
  • John

    Rating 1715
  • Iris

    Rating 60
  • Ksuron

    Rating 756
  • Frank

    Rating 1608
  • trolly

    Rating 1477
  • Granny Dee

    Rating 292
  • Joe

    Rating 11598
  • Carter

    Rating 1797
  • Jay

    Rating 33
  • Mark

    Rating 2118
  • rebecca

    Rating 2249
  • Rahmel

    Rating 1018
  • martin

    Rating 1507
  • Reyes

    Rating 1727
  • Mono

    Rating 1991
  • Rihel

    Rating 1310
  • Shawn

    Rating 2554
  • nan

    Rating 2153
  • Kami

    Rating 7372
  • wots

    Rating 2101
  • maryann

    Rating 1621
  • Mark

    Rating 8755
  • cal

    Rating 2331
  • Clyde

    Rating 1370
  • Ernie

    Rating 32191
  • RB

    Rating 1779
  • andy

    Rating 1307
  • melnick

    Rating 1435
  • dullboy

    Rating 1666
  • reg

    Rating 639
  • Player Griff

    Rating 3274
  • Skunkle Hoecheck

    Rating 2035
  • Atx

    Rating 561
  • Winning

    Rating 48
  • Hunter

    Rating 2456
  • Zoogod

    Rating 1828
  • Traceyad

    Rating 2860
  • Sarah

    Rating 1084
  • Hot Shot

    Rating 4891
  • Michael

    Rating 2545
  • Kroll

    Rating 2224
  • jimmy

    Rating 1466
  • Eve

    Rating 5565
  • Moi

    Rating 2256
  • Codo

    Rating 1946
  • ryan

    Rating 2315
  • Big Dill

    Rating 4838
  • broke

    Rating 1284
  • Bear

    Rating 2653
  • pete

    Rating 1501
  • walt

    Rating 1313
  • quatto

    Rating 2112
  • Jack

    Rating 3538
  • Chywy

    Rating 889
  • Decibel

    Rating 1741
  • jr

    Rating 2676
  • manny

    Rating 2053
  • myers

    Rating 1561
  • Hasan

    Rating 1234
  • Scotty

    Rating 2285
  • Laslo

    Rating 1587
  • Mmg

    Rating 1151
  • Jeff

    Rating 1345
  • Gino

    Rating 3304
  • geralt

    Rating 1621
  • Nick

    Rating 2000
  • Jen

    Rating 334
  • Tyana

    Rating 1990
  • duck

    Rating 2239
  • Kelly

    Rating 1833
  • craig

    Rating 2170
  • emme

    Rating 1323
  • Jeff

    Rating 96
  • Betty Jo

    Rating 132
  • Daenerys

    Rating 2204
  • ATrain

    Rating 1494
  • Babak

    Rating 1465
  • Saris

    Rating 2334
  • Pj

    Rating 1750
  • tech

    Rating 1633
  • BigE

    Rating 2568
  • Jessephxaz

    Rating 1587
  • Chioma

    Rating 1940
  • Elizabeth

    Rating 1474
  • ClarkBar

    Rating 2048
  • bob

    Rating 2036
  • Cherikim

    Rating 16
  • Slapintrump

    Rating 481
  • prince

    Rating 1844
  • Dwigt

    Rating 170
  • Suz

    Rating 1430
  • palmer

    Rating 2166
  • Big Tim

    Rating 1339
  • jenna

    Rating 2278
  • Bonnie

    Rating 2062
  • more

    Rating 1552
  • nurse

    Rating 2416
  • Chill

    Rating 2867
  • Lenhoj

    Rating 6354
  • Grandma

    Rating 1802
  • arnold

    Rating 1435
  • worm

    Rating 2220
  • Dan

    Rating 1615
  • tamara

    Rating 1568
  • lynn

    Rating 1701
  • ramsey

    Rating 1685
  • Virginia

    Rating 2161
  • Matthew

    Rating 1407
  • Jay

    Rating 1976
  • melody

    Rating 2601
  • Sara

    Rating 1503
  • jackie

    Rating 1397
  • Deniz

    Rating 2329
  • manser

    Rating 1202
  • Eagles

    Rating 4316
  • ozone

    Rating 1936
  • Ortega

    Rating 1870
  • gary

    Rating 1399
  • Fagin

    Rating 85
  • marley420

    Rating 1304
  • laurence

    Rating 1250
  • MTG

    Rating 2413
  • ecker

    Rating 1058
  • Trenton

    Rating 1818
  • Sonny

    Rating 1325
  • Streyski

    Rating 2370
  • maire

    Rating 1099
  • Brian

    Rating 1981
  • Antonina

    Rating 1733
  • ron

    Rating 1544
  • mich

    Rating 863
  • Lisa

    Rating 2443
  • Terry

    Rating 1745
  • Sir

    Rating 2107
  • elrond

    Rating 1727
  • Nova

    Rating 1053
  • Joni

    Rating 1432
  • Nell

    Rating 1428
  • G Màn

    Rating 2991
  • Linda

    Rating 152
  • Player Mary

    Rating 2471
  • Brady

    Rating 9972
  • Lucy

    Rating 1654
  • Pooleone

    Rating 261
  • Dakota

    Rating 7107

Today's Best Hand

myers

Double Deck Cutthroat
King of DiamondsKing of DiamondsQueen of DiamondsQueen of DiamondsQueen of ClubsQueen of ClubsQueen of SpadesQueen of SpadesQueen of SpadesQueen of HeartsQueen of HeartsQueen of HeartsAce of ClubsAce of ClubsTen of ClubsTen of ClubsKing of ClubsKing of ClubsJack of ClubsJack of ClubsJack of DiamondsJack of Diamonds
  • Ernie

    Rating 32191
  • Joe

    Rating 11598
  • John

    Rating 11353
  • Dave T

    Rating 10827
  • Player

    Rating 10220
  • Brady

    Rating 9972
  • Otto

    Rating 8966
  • Mark

    Rating 8755
  • Djs

    Rating 8374
  • Ron

    Rating 7720