Developer
PMFoundations
Category
Card
Game Version
2.12
Pinochle Game: FREE Download for Mobile and PC
Do you enjoy playing Pinochle with your friends? Or do you miss the times when you've had game nights with your friends or played a 48-deck card game? Now you can play Pinochle online too! Even though gatherings are not possible due to time constraints and other factors, you and your friends can still enjoy a good old round of Pinochle card games online.
Published by PMFoundations, this online classic card game can be played on your PC or mobile. With the same rules and cards, you will relive the happy times you've had when you play this 48 card deck game. Besides the joy and the excitement that you'll get from playing this game, it is free to play too.
A Two-Handed Pinochle Online Game
Ideally, this card game should be played by three or four people. But for this game, it can only be played by two players - which is similar to the original version of the game. Besides that, the card ranking for this game follows the original one, which goes in this order: Ace (high), 10, King, Queen, Jack, and 9.
Being a 2-player game, you can opt to play with an AI (computer bot) or choose a real player who is available online. However, do keep in mind that you need to be connected on the Internet to match up against players. So, if you want to play against real Pinochle players, make sure to connect your device to a WiFi or broadband connection. Or else, your only option is to play against a bot.
There are only two ways to earn points in Pinochle cards. First is by winning tricks, and second is through melding or laying cards in sets. However, before you are allowed to meld, you must win tricks during your turn first.
Simple, Clean Graphics and Sound Effects
Virtual card games are mostly known to have low-quality game graphics. That is because the game is very simple and easy to play and it does not require a lot of elements, unlike FPS or MMO games.
Fortunately, PMFoundations did not follow that route. Although Pinochle is still a simple two-handed card game like many others, they still put an effort into making decent graphics for the game.
So, how great is the quality of this game's graphics? First of all, it has a clean game interface. All of the controls are pretty straightforward to the point where beginners or non-gamers can easily navigate the controls of the game. Aside from that, the control buttons and overall gameplay interface is not displeasing to look at.
Now, let's talk about the game's sound effects. Despite being a simple game, you can still hear ambient sound effects while playing this game. This gives you good vibes when you're playing a Pinochle card game against AI or a real opponent. However, if you think that the ambient sounds are a distraction to you, you can simply turn it off in the game settings.
Play Pinochle Cards Anytime and Anywhere
This is one of the many good reasons why this game is a must-have. And that reason is you can play the Pinochle deck card game anytime, anywhere! As long as you’re connected to the Internet, you can play this game no matter where you are.
Whether you're on a break at work or school, or if you're patiently waiting for someone and you need a time-killer, this game is certainly what you need. You can also play this game all-night-long during weekends and Friday nights!
Now that you can play this card game online, there’s no need for you to bring a deck of card games with you. If you happen to meet with your friends unexpectedly or if you’re feeling competitive and you want to challenge your workmates, all you need is to open this game to play! So what are you waiting for? Download Pinochle online game now and enjoy playing this classic 48-deck card game wherever you go!
Pinochle Game: Simple and Classic Features
With this game, there’s no need for you to have a deck of cards. If you have your phone or laptop with you, you can play this game in a jiffy. Aside from the luxury of being able to play online, there are so many features for you to explore in this game.
Yes, it might be a simple game. Nevertheless, the experience that you'll get from playing this 48 card deck game is incomparable. Read on to know more about the game's features below.
Easy Pinochle Game Controls
For starters, let’s delve into the one game feature that most gamers usually watch out for, especially beginners: game controls. Overall, this game’s controls are very easy. If you know how to play Pinochle, then learning to play this game online is a no-brainer. Since the options/controls of the game are pretty straightforward, all you need to do is to click on them if desired.
Aside from the game controls, the settings are easy to manage as well. Among these are the notifications and sound options of the game.
Free Tutorial Play Guide
If you are still new to Pinochle, you don't have to worry much. This game gives you a step by step guide of the gameplay. It does not come with a handbook, but it has a few resources that you can refer to. For example, there is a list of card values for easy reference. And the game also prompts you whenever it is your time to take a turn.
Simple Game Graphics
The best word to describe the graphics of this game is this: simple. Don’t expect this to feature moving or 3D graphics. The game is designed in straightforward 2D graphics, but it does have a clean and intuitive interface.
Players with vision problems and sensitive eyesight should not worry. In this game, the 48 card deck are the only ones that are moving, and their movements aren’t even that much to pay attention to. Plus you only get one background color on the game interface, which is olive green. Visually, the game will not strain your eyes, and you won’t get distracted with unnecessary elements too!
Image Source: blogspot.com
Play Against Top Players
You already know that you can play this game against a computer bot or a real player. Since it’s an online game, it’s easy for you to connect with other players and compete with them. Pinochle has a leaderboard that keeps tabs on who are the top 10 best players of all time.
Most of all, you can challenge these top players to a game of Pinochle cards! If you are feeling a bit competitive, or if you want to fast-track your ranking, you can select a top player and challenge them to a game!
If you win against a player whose rating is higher than yours, your rating will go up and they will go down! Exciting isn’t it? If you want to prove yourself as the King of Pinochle, get started now! Download this Pinochle free online game to start playing.
How to Play Pinochle: Online Basic Guide
So, you want to know how to play Pinochle, aye? Fortunately, you came to the right place. To score points in this card game, there are two things that you need to do. First, you have to win tricks during your turn. Second, you have to lay your cards down in sets (meld).
Now, since this is a two-handed version of the game, the rules are not entirely based on the Pinochle card game that is played with 3 or 4 players. Despite that, the objectives are still similar. Read on below to get your step by step guide to playing Pinochle.
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Dealing the Pinochle Cards
This game utilizes 48 cards. Unlike Solitaire where you get to utilize all the cards (except the Joker), this card only uses all the Aces, Kings, Queens, Jacks, 10s, and the 9s.
In the beginning, the total number of cards that will be dealt with you is 12. This leaves players with at least 24 cards on the gameplay, while the rest of the cards will be placed as a stockpile. All the cards are dealt face-down.
Once the cards are all dealt with, the top card of the remaining deck will be considered as the trump card. This card will be the trump suit for the round. The trump card is always shown face-up.
Tricking
One of the ways to score points is by winning tricks. To do that, you can only use Aces, Tens, Kings, or Queens. You have to make sure that when you choose a trump card to play, it must be a rank higher than your opponent.
Speaking of card rankings, Pinochle has its card rank system that is different from other card games. Here's their card ranking in descending order:
Ace
10
King
Queen
Jack
9
If you want to score points, make sure to win more tricks. Winning tricks will also allow you to meld cards, which is another way for you to score more points.
Melding Pinochle Cards
Melding cards can be done in sequences or groups. Though they are still part of your hand, the cards will be laid face-up for your opponent to see.
There are 9 types of melds for this game. Here are the following groups with corresponding points.
Sequence (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10 Trump) = 150 points
Marriage (trump) = 40 points
Marriage (non-trump) = 20 points
4 Aces = 100 points
4 Kings = 80 points
4 Queens = 60 points
4 Jacks = 40 points
Pinochle (Queen of Spade, Jack of Diamonds) = 40 points
2X Pinochle (2 Queens of Spade, 2 Jacks of Diamonds) = 80 points
After successfully melding, the player can pick more cards on the stockpile.
Pinochle Game Bonus
Playing Pinochle can be a little tricky, especially if you aren't familiar with the game at first. Aside from keeping track of the objectives of the game, you will still need to figure out the best strategy for you to score more points. Remember that you need to score higher than your opponent to win. It's not just about who uses up all his or her cards first.
If you still don’t get how the game works, you can take advantage of the game’s Learning Mode. Just go to the Game Settings and make sure that the Learning Mode is on. In this mode, a guide and some short instructions will pop-up while you go through a round of Pinochle. This is certainly an easy way to master the game and later formulate a strategy of your own.
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Knowledge Base
What Are The Different Pinochle Variations?
This Pinochle game is a two-handed type. This version merely followed the original one. But did you know that there are other variations of this card game? Yes, they exist! So if you want to know more of these variations, then read on.
Three-Handed Pinochle
Three-handed Pinochle, also called Auction Pinochle, still utilizes a 48 card deck. Unlike two-handed Pinochle where players are dealt with 12 cards, Three-handed players will be dealt with 15 cards. Another three cards will be used as a widow, which is separate from the stockpile in the middle.
Card ranking is still the same with the two-handed version. This includes Aces, 10s, Kings, Queens, Jacks, and 9s. Keep in mind that the Aces, 10s, and Kings are called counters, and they are valued at 10 points each. On the other hand, the Queens, Jacks, and 9s are called the losers, and they have no value. So when trick-taking, keep in mind that you have to win as many counters as possible.
Just like in a two-handed Pinochle, there are two ways to score points: by winning tricks and by melding. To win the game, a player must be the first one to score 1,500 points. Once the first game is completed, the winner takes on the card dealing for the next round.
Double-Deck Pinochle
This variation is one of the most popular Pinochle games to be played in recent years. This variation is present in most Pinochle online games. This is played with two Pinochle decks (a total of 80 cards) but without the 9s.
At the start of this variation, each player is dealt with 20 cards. The minimum bid is also at 500 points, compared to the four-handed pinochle where bidding just starts at 100. You can also encounter meld bidding in this variation. Meld bidding is a bid to your partner, where you can let them know the kinds of cards that you have at hand. Generally, you can use any bid value for this one.
There are differences in meld values for this variation, especially with the Runs and the Pinochle. For runs, it values either at 250 or 150 points, while for Pinochle, the average value runs at 150 or 40 points. The values of other meld combinations are similar.
Conclusion
There are still more variations for this game. These include the Check, Five-Handed, Cutthroat, Triple-Deck, and more. Pinochle gameplay can slightly change - depending on the number of participants. However, the most common ones that are played nowadays are the two-handed and four-handed variations!