PINOCLE, or PENUCHLE, a game of cards very popular among the Germans in America. The object of the game, which may be joined in by either two, three, or four persons, is to secure 1,000 points. The game is played with two full packs of cards, mixed, from which the twos, threes, fours, fives, sixes, sevens and eights have been removed. In 64 card pinocle the sevens and eights are retained. This is the schedule of °points° : The relative value of the cards is: Acc counts for 11 points, 10-spot counts for 10 points, king for four, queen for three, jack for two and the nine counts nothing. The last trick counts 10 points for the player who takes it. The total points, therefore, of the cards and last trick combined amount to 250. Four-handed pinocle is usually played two against two as partners, sitting opposite one another. The cards are all dealt out, four at a time, each played receiving 12, and the last card is turned up for trump. If two are playing, the 25th — card is trump. If a nine is turned up the dealer is credited at once with 10 points; if any other card is turned up either of the other players who holds a nine of trumps may ex change it for the trump card and claim 10 points, the player sitting on the left-hand side of the dealer having the preference. Each
player then melds whatever he has in his hand and the partners score together. The eldest hand then leads a card for the first trick. In every trick each player must follow suit; if he cannot he must trump; if neither is possible, he may play any card he pleases; he must take the trick if he can; the player who takes the trick leads for the next. When either side reaches 1,000 points the scorer calls ((game,* and the balance of the hands are void. In three-handed pinocle 16 cards go to each player, four at a time; and each player keeps his own score. In auction pinocle no trump is turned, each player in turn from the dealer's left bid ding a number of points for the privilege of naming the trump. If all the players pass this privilege the dealer is obliged to hid 20 and name the trump. Consult Foster, R. F., 'The Laws of Pinocle' (New York 1908).