Pinochle Pinochle Pinochle () or binocle (sometimes pinocle, or penuchle) is a trick-taking, Ace-Ten card game typically for two to four players and played with a 48-card deck. It is derived from the card game bezique; players score points by trick-taking and also by forming combinations of cards into melds. It is thus considered part of a "trick-and-meld" category which also includes the game belote. Each hand is played in three phases: bidding, melds, and tricks. The standard game today is called "partnership auction pinochle." Pinochle derives from the game bezique. Its name comes from the French word "binocle" meaning "eyeglasses".
Switch (card game) player at their turn may play any card from their hand that matches the suit "or" the rank of the card previously played; for example, if the previous card was a seven of clubs, the next player may put down any seven card, or any club card, from their hand. Should the player not have any card available to play, they must pick up one card. Players are initially dealt a similar sized hand of cards (often seven per person), but the exact number may vary depending on how many players are present. The remainder of the deck is placed