Double Deck Pinochle Cheat Sheet
All meld values, bidding guidelines, counter values, trump rank order, and scoring rules on one printable quick-reference page.
Print this cheat sheet or keep it open on your phone for quick reference during games. All essential values are on this page.
Printable Quick Reference Card
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">MELD VALUES — SINGLE</div>
<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.82rem;">
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Run</strong> (A-10-K-Q-J in trump)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">15</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Trump Marriage (K+Q of trump)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Non-trump Marriage (K+Q)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">2</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Pinochle</strong> (J♦ + Q♠)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Aces Around</strong> (A in each suit)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">10</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Kings Around (K in each suit)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">8</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Queens Around (Q in each suit)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">6</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;">Jacks Around (J in each suit)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;">4</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">MELD VALUES — DOUBLE</div>
<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.82rem;">
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Double Run</strong></td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">150</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Double Trump Marriage</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">8</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Double Non-trump Marriage</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Double Pinochle</strong></td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">30</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>Double Aces Around</strong></td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">100</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Double Kings Around</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">80</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Double Queens Around</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">60</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;">Double Jacks Around</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;">40</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">TRICK POINTS</div>
<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.82rem;">
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Ace (each)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">1 pt</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Ten (each)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">1 pt</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">King (each)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">1 pt</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Queen / Jack / Nine</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">0 pts</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Last trick bonus</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">2 pts</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;font-weight:700;">Total trick points/hand</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:800;">26</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">CARD RANK (High → Low)</div>
<div style="font-size:.82rem;line-height:1.8;">
<div style="padding:2px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;"><strong>A > 10 > K > Q > J > 9</strong></div>
<div style="padding:4px 0;color:#555;font-size:.78rem;">Applies within any suit and within trump.</div>
<div style="margin-top:8px;font-weight:700;font-size:.88rem;">FOLLOW SUIT RULES:</div>
<div style="padding:2px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">1. Must follow suit if able</div>
<div style="padding:2px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">2. If can't follow suit → must play trump</div>
<div style="padding:2px 0;">3. If can't do either → play any card</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">BIDDING GUIDE</div>
<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.82rem;">
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Minimum opening bid</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">50</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Your bid =</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">meld + tricks</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Avg tricks per team</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">~13</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Strong hand bid</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">60–70</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;">Very strong hand</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;">70+</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight:700;font-size:.95rem;border-bottom:2px solid #333;padding-bottom:4px;margin-bottom:8px;">SCORING RULES</div>
<table style="width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:.82rem;">
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Made bid</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Score all pts earned</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Set (didn't make bid)</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">−bid amount</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Defenders always score</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">meld + tricks</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">Meld scores only if</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:700;border-bottom:1px solid #eee;">won ≥1 trick</td></tr>
<tr><td style="padding:3px 0;font-weight:700;">Game won at</td><td style="text-align:right;font-weight:800;">500 pts</td></tr>
</table>
</div>
To print: Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and select “Fit to page.”
Meld Values — Full Reference
Single Melds
| Meld | Cards Required | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Run | A-10-K-Q-J all in trump | 15 |
| Trump Marriage | K + Q of trump suit | 4 |
| Non-trump Marriage | K + Q of same non-trump suit | 2 |
| Pinochle | J♦ + Q♠ | 4 |
| Aces Around | One Ace in each of 4 suits | 10 |
| Kings Around | One King in each of 4 suits | 8 |
| Queens Around | One Queen in each of 4 suits | 6 |
| Jacks Around | One Jack in each of 4 suits | 4 |
| Round House | K+Q in every suit (4 marriages) | 24 |
Double Melds
| Meld | Cards Required | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Double Run | Two complete A-10-K-Q-J in trump | 150 |
| Double Trump Marriage | Two K-Q pairs in trump | 8 |
| Double Non-trump Marriage | Two K-Q pairs same non-trump suit | 4 |
| Double Pinochle | Two J♦ + two Q♠ | 30 |
| Double Aces Around | Two Aces in each of 4 suits | 100 |
| Double Kings Around | Two Kings in each of 4 suits | 80 |
| Double Queens Around | Two Queens in each of 4 suits | 60 |
| Double Jacks Around | Two Jacks in each of 4 suits | 40 |
Bidding Quick Reference
Estimate your bid by adding expected meld + expected trick points. Your partner contributes too — communicate through bidding.
| Your meld | Expected tricks | Suggested bid |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 | ~12 | Pass or 50 minimum |
| 15–25 | ~13 | 50–55 |
| 25–35 | ~13–15 | 55–65 |
| 35–50 | ~15–16 | 65–75 |
| 50+ | ~16+ | 75+ |
Trick estimate assumes roughly even distribution; strong trump suit adds 2–4 expected tricks.
Trump Selection Tip
Choose your longest and strongest suit as trump. Prefer suits where you hold a run or multiple high cards (Aces, Tens). A 6-card trump suit is significantly stronger than a 4-card trump suit — each additional trump card is a potential trick winner.
FAQs
What are all the meld values?
Single: Run=15, Trump Marriage=4, Non-trump Marriage=2, Pinochle=4, Aces Around=10, Kings Around=8, Queens Around=6, Jacks Around=4. Doubles ≈ 10× single value (Double Run=150).
How many trick points per hand?
26 total: 24 from counters (Aces, Tens, Kings = 1 pt each) + 2 for last trick.
What is the minimum bid?
50 (standard). Each bid must exceed the last.
What happens when you’re set?
You lose points equal to your bid. The defending team scores their meld + tricks normally.
Play Double Deck Pinochle Free
Test your knowledge in a real game — free double deck pinochle online, no download needed.
Play Now