Pinochle is the original pinochle game, while partnership, auction, and all other variants are derived from it. It is the game most similar to the original Bèzique game, whence pinochle was derived, via the German game of Binokel. The only significant difference in its rules from Bèzique is the scoring. The original version of pinochle involves a partial deal of twelve cards to both players in packets of four, leaving a stock of 24 cards. A player can score one meld after each trick won of the first 12 tricks. Melded cards can even be used to win tricks. After each
German Skat Association German Skat Association The German Skat Association () or DSkV is the umbrella organisation for German Skat clubs. It was founded on 12 March 1899 in Halle an der Saale and the headquarters of the club is the Skat town of Altenburg. From 1954 to 2001, Bielefeld was the location of the Association's headquarters due to the division of Germany. The offices in Bielefeld were closed in 2005; since then, Altenburg has once again become the only head office location. Together with the International Skat Players Association (ISPA), the DSkV determines the international rules of Skat. An important organ of