Definition

Noun: A trick-taking card game for two to four players, typically using a special 48-card deck (or a modified standard deck) where the ranking of cards and the goal of melding specific combinations of cards are central to gameplay. It is characterized by its unique scoring system involving melds (point-scoring combinations of cards declared before play) and tricks (rounds of cards played).

Usage

Pinochle refers specifically to the name of the card game. It is used as a singular, uncountable noun when talking about the game in general. - My grandparents taught me how to play pinochle. - Pinochle is a game that requires both strategy and a good memory. - We had a lively pinochle tournament last night.

Advanced Usage

• "A hand/pgame of pinochle": Used to specify a single instance of playing the game.
  • Let's deal a quick hand of pinochle before dinner.
  • They played three games of pinochle.

Variants and Related Words

• Penuchle, Pinocle: Alternative spellings for the same game.
• Double Pinochle: A specific, high-scoring meld in the game consisting of both the queen of spades and the jack of diamonds.
• Meld (noun/verb): A key action in pinochle where players declare point-scoring combinations of cards (e.g., a run, a marriage, a pinochle).

Synonyms

• Card game: The general category.
• Trick-taking game: The broader genre of games to which pinochle belongs (like whist or bridge).

Related Phrases

• To bid in pinochle: To declare a number of points one aims to win in a hand.
  • He decided to bid aggressively.
• To meld cards: To declare point-scoring combinations.
  • She was able to meld a run in hearts.
• To take tricks: To win rounds of played cards.
  • Their strategy focused on taking tricks with high trump cards.

Noun

1. a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist