Binokel it developed into the similar game of Pinochle. Binokel is also played in Switzerland. Binokel belongs to the family of melding and trick-taking games. Unlike others in the family, special card combinations (family, 4 of a kind, etc.) score additional points. After the deal, there is an auction to bid for the "dabb" (stack of undealt cards c.f. Skat) or "tapp". Players bid depending on the card points they expect to score from taking tricks and making melds. The team with the highest bid has to win the game, i.e. score more points in tricks and melds than they bid.
Officers' Skat wins or loses, whereas game points determine how much is won or lost. Many people calculate the points using additional matadors ("Spitzen") as in Skat, so that in a game with all four Jacks and the Ace of trumps, the winner gets 5 matador points for a game value of 6 times the base value. The same goes for the calculation of "Unters" or Jacks not held. In addition there are also simplified forms of scoring: If agreed, a game can also be played where players can 'pass' instead of choosing trumps. If the actual declarer passes, the dealer can