The cards are to be handled only by the player who is to deal the cards. The cards are to be shuffled a minimum of three (3) times. After the shuffle, the cards are to be cut by the player to the dealer’s right. The cards are to be cut only one (1) time, by the upper portion of the deck being lifted clear of the lower portion, leaving no less than four (4) cards in the lower portion of the deck. The former lower portion is then replaced on top of the former upper portion. Exception to this rule will be made for handicapped players, whose partners may shuffle and deal for the handicap player. All players are to be at the table when the cards are shuffled. The cards are to be “SHUFFLED” not “PATTED.”
**IF CARDS ARE NOT PROPERLY SHUFFLED, IT MUST BE CALLED BEFORE THE DEAL BEGINS.**
Anyone may deal first. There are four (4) deals (hands) per table. Only four (4) or five(5) cards can be dealt at a time. Each player deals once. After a deal is completed, it is the responsibility of each player to count and ensure that she/he has twenty (20) cards before play begins. If a player must pull one (1) card to complete a hand, this is a misdeal, but, cannot be dealt over. If a player must pull two (2) or more cards to complete a hand, this is called an illegal deal and the cards must be dealt over. (Keep in mind, there is no MISDEAL in PINOCHLE.) If at the end of a hand a player is without a card or a player has too many cards, all remaining cards will go with the last legal book turned.
PENALTY: The player(s) having too few or too many cards at the end of a hand will be penalized fifty (50) points, which will be deducted from their total score.
Bidding begins with the player to the dealer’s left and continues clockwise. All players must bid in turn. If a player bids out of turn, their partner will be silenced.
**If a player bids out of turn, their bid remains unless an opponent bids 50 or more. In that case, the player bidding out of turn can change their bid. Players should remain attentive to the game, remember who dealt the cards and wait their turn to bid. If you are not sure who dealt, ask anyone at the table.**
The lowest bid is 50 and continues in multiples of 1 or more until the bidding reaches 60, then the bidding must continue in multiples of 5 or more until the bidding reached 100 . After the bidding reaches 100, the players may continue bidding in multiples of 10 or more. All bids past 100 must end in 0. (A bid of 105 is not a legal bid.) The highest bidder names the trumps. If the highest bidder has no marriage, the bidding team goes set the amount of the bid. The opposing team receives the amount of the bid plus their natural meld. (No trump can be declared.). BIDDING A DOUBLE RUN IS NOT NECESSARY.
If a player wins a bid and the team’s meld plus the 50 points in the deck is insufficient to make the bid, the hand cannot be played. The bidding team goes set the amount of the bid and the opposing team receives the amount of the bid plus their meld (if 20 or more). If a player wins the bid and has sufficient meld, but the team fails to accumulate 20 points (or more if necessary) during play, the team goes set the bid. The opposing team receives the bid plus their meld (if 20 or more) plus the points accumulated during play (if 20 or more is saved).
BID WHEN DROPPED ON DEALER: If no player bids, the dealer must automatically accept a bid of 50. If the dealer has no marriage, the dealer’s hand must be shown to the opponents and the dealer and her/his partner must go set for the 50 points. No trumps can be named, the opposing team receives the 50 points plus their meld (if 20 or more). If the dealer has a marriage, a trump must be named. If the dealer and her/his partner cannot make board by melding 20 or more points between the team, both hands must be exposed and the team must go set the 50 points. The opposing team receives the 50 points plus their meld (if 20 or more).
The first marriage meld by the winning bidder is declared trump. NO player should place any meld on the table before the trump has been declared. No meld will be counted after player naming trump plays the first card. Cards melded should remain on the table until all players, including the scorekeeper, has had the opportunity to see and count the meld. It is the responsibility and right of both teams to check the recording and totaling of all scores to ensure accuracy. Aces are considered meld as well and MUST be melded on the board with the other meld.
The team that fails to complete the bid/contract, surrenders the amount of the bid/contract to the opponents. Twenty (20) points must be saved in order to receive meld.
A renege occurs when a player:
1. Fails to follow suit.
2. Fails to beat the highest card played.
3. Fails to cut when void of a suit.
4. Fails to declare Aces before the first card is played.
A renege may be called after a book has been closed and the next legal card has been played. A player cannot be forced to renege and has the privilege of correcting a play before the next card is played. HOWEVER, a player cannot correct a play and a renege will be enforced, when:
1. All four cards have been played.
2. A player has reneged when the winning the book fails to turn the book for closure within 10 seconds. If after 10 seconds, anyone at the table can close the book in order that play may continue. This will keep the table playing.
A renege cannot be assumed. The card must be played in order to constitute the renege. The PENALTY for a renege is that the opposing team gets the amount of the bid plus their meld. If a renege is called and not proven, the team calling the renege has committed a renege. The opposing team then receives the bid plus their meld.
Players are allowed a five (5) minute grace period following the start of play. After the grace period, the tournament director/referee will access the tardy player a ten (10) point per minute penalty. After fifteen (15) minutes have elapsed, the tardy player will be replaced for the remainder of that round that receives 0 points for that round.
A Pinochle occurs when a team wins all 50 points in one hand. The team establishing the pinochle receives their meld, the 50 points, **plus a bonus of 500 points.
A Skunk occurs when the opposing them is scoreless at the end of four (4) hands. The winning team receives a bonus of 200 points.
All players are expected to abide by these rules. All questions, interpretations and disputes should be directed to the designated referees.
THE REFEREE’S DECISION IS FINAL. THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR WILL SETTLE ALL CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN REFEREES.
SINGLE DOUBLE TRIPLE QUADRUPLE
RUN 25 250 450 500
PINOCHLE 15 30 90 500
ACES 10 100 300 500
KINGS 8 80 240 500
QUEENS 6 60 180 500
JACKS 4 40 120 500
ROUNDHOUSE 24 240
LIST OF PENALTIES
Players having too few or too many cards at end = 50 points
Renege = meld plus bid
Players late
returning to table = 10 pts per minute after 5
minute grace
0 pts for round after 15 minutes
Playing at wrong table = 100 points
BONUSES
Skunk = 200 points at end of round (not considered in hand count)
Pinochle = Meld + 50 points + 500 points (considered in hand played)