Pinocle

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

PINOCHLE, or NUCHLE, a game of cards very popular in the United States, particularly among German-Americans. The object of the game, which may be joined in by either two, three, or four persons, is to secure 1,000 points. The game is played with two full packs of cards, mixed, from which the twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens, and eights have been taken. This is the schedule of "points" or "melds": Eight aces count .1,000 Eight kings count 800 Eight queens count 600 Eight jacks count 400 Ace, ten, king, queen, and jack of trumps 150 count Four aces of different 100 Four kings of different suits count suits count 80 Two queens of spades and two jacks of diamonds (double pinochle) count 80 Four queens of different suits count 60 Four jacks of different suits count 40 Queen of spades and jack of diamonds (pinochle) count 40 King and queen of trumps (royal marriage) 40 count King and queen of a suit not trumps (marriage) count.. 20 Nine spot of trumps counts 10 The relative value of the cards is: Ace counts for 10 points, 10 spot for 10 points, king for five, queen counts for five. The last trick counts 10 points for the player who takes it. The total points, therefore, of the cards and last trick combined amount to 250. Fourhanded pinochle is usually played two against two as partners, sitting opposite one another. The cards are all dealt out, four at a time, each player receiving 12, and the last card is turned up for trump. If a nine is turned up the dealer is credited at once with 10 points; if any other card is turned up either of the other players who holds a nine of trumps may exchange it for the trump card and claim 10 points, the player sitting on the left-hand side of the dealer having the preference. Each player then melds whatever he has in his hand and the partners score together. The eldest hand then leads a card for the first trick. In every trick each player must follow suit; if he cannot he must trump; if neither is possible, he may play any card he pleases; if trump is played, he must beat the card with a higher one, if possible; the player who 17 takes the trick leads for the next. When either side reaches 1,000 points the scorer calls "game," and the balance of the hands are void.