'Bid and Out': If two players exceed 1000 points on the same hand, then the high bidder for that round automatically is declared the winner.This rule holds regardless of score fluctuations (players 'going minus' - failing to reach their bid amounts - and falling below 1000 points. If two players exceed 1250 points on the same hand, the contest lengthens to 1500 points. 'Overtime': The game is extended and is now a contest to 1250 points.'Highest Score': If there's a tie, play another hand.It is possible for two or all three players to go over 1000 on the same hand. The game is won when one player reaches 1000 points. The widow can often salvage a hopeless hand, so it pays to look when nobody is close to winning.This strategy is useful when another player is close to winning.

His score is lowered by 300 points, and the opponents score nothing for the hand. A player forced to take the bid for 300 points may choose to concede without viewing the widow.Remember, the decision to concede a hand must be made before seeing the opponents' meld. If a player is about to win, it may have been worthwhile to play the hand and try to deny that player a trick. For example, if the bid is 350 and a player has only 80 points in meld, that player is forced to concede. A player may not attempt to play the hand for more than 250 points.Conceding the hand does save the trick points opponents would score playing their hands, although opponents will not have an opportunity to lose their meld by failing to take a trick. After viewing the widow, the highest bidder may concede the hand and take a negative score for the amount of his bid however, they still must name trumps and the other two players score their meld.If the highest bidder fails to make their contract by adding meld points and trick points from the play, then their score is negative the amount of the bid for that hand. The three discards by the highest bidder count toward their counter score for the hand, so there is always a total of 250 points for the trick score among the three players. During the round, a player must take at least one trick to 'save one's meld', even if the trick contains no points otherwise, no meld points will be counted for that player during that round.Īfter all tricks are taken, counters are tallied for each player. For all three players, meld is now returned to each respective player's hand, and the round is played. This will reduce the bid winner's hand to 15 cards. After the appropriate points have been tallied the bid winner must set aside any three cards that have not been melded, though if not enough cards remain in the hand they may be taken from melded cards. The other two players also lay meld face-up for count. The bid winner then declares trump and lays down meld. The three widow cards are placed in the bid winner's hand. The highest bidder wins the auction and turns up the three-card widow for all to see. Once a player passes, he or she is out of the auction.īidding begins at 300, or as little as 150 for 'under-the-gun' bids, and increases in multiples of 10. If he or she passes, the obligation to bid passes to the next player, if meld is held. If the player has a meld, he or she is required to open the bidding otherwise, they may pass or bid. The player to the dealer's left initiates the bidding process. The dealer deals 15 cards to each player and three cards to the widow-a separate pile in the middle.Īll players review their cards and silently count meld, determining their bids. In Three-handed pinochle each player plays for himself.

Points sheet for double deck pinochle