Posts: 642
Threads: 111
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
10
Have you ever noticed that if you want to learn about something, you can go to google and find that info? If a person is interested in learning how to play double deck pinochle, there is no place to go online to learn. So we have decided to be the online site to share this knowledge. However, we have to create a system that will allow a complete newbie to the game of double deck pinochle to learn. So I am looking for input and discussion on the foundation needed to do so.
Break it down to the two phases of the game:
- Bidding/Meld Counting phase 1
- Hand Playing phase 2
About Phase 1:
- Teach Meld Counting and what Trump is and how it works
- Teach bidding order and explain how it relates to both phases of the game through the scoring
- Teach Trick Counting
- Teach a basic bidding system
About Phase 2
- Teach game play order and rules
- Explain Counters/Non-counters and last trick
That is off the top of my head. Discuss what order to teach these things and what else to teach or what not to teach right away. Remember to assume that we are teaching a person that may not have ever played a partnership card game with trump. I'm looking forward to the discussion. Thanks.
Posts: 834
Threads: 112
Joined: Jul 2012
Reputation:
80
It's probably similar, but I think I'd go:
a) basic mechanics...meld counting, must ruff, must cover, point scoring during play (why delay counters until phase 2?)
b) The rule of 20, and what it means
c) my Expectations and Assumptions
c) These give a groundwork for teaching real bidding...just maybe not the more complex and unusual situations, but a system they can use forever.
Posts: 642
Threads: 111
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
10
So how does this order look:
Phase 1:
Meld Counting
Bidding Mechanics (just how to, not what bids represent)
Counters/Non-Counters
Points = Counters and Non-Counters + Last Trick
Meld + Points = Making The Bid
Rule of 20
Playing the Hand - The "Musts" (Must follow suit, must play to win the trick, must trump when out of the suit, etc.)
Phase 2:
Trick Counting
Basic Bidding System
Fundamental Game Play
- as Declarer
- as Dummy
- as Defense
More thoughts/discussion please.
Posts: 642
Threads: 111
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
10
Good point. I wasn't sure about that order.
Posts: 642
Threads: 111
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
10
So how does this order look:
Phase 1:
Meld Counting
Bidding Mechanics (just how to, not what bids represent)
Counters/Non-Counters
Meld + Points = Making The Bid/Not Making the Bid
Rule of 20/Trump Suit Requires Marriage/Last Trick
Playing the Hand - The "Musts" (Must follow suit, must play to win the trick, must trump when out of the suit, etc.)
Phase 2:
Trick Counting
Basic Bidding System
Fundamental Game Play
- as Declarer
- as Dummy
- as Defense
More thoughts/discussion please, then I want to move on to a Basic Trick Counting Discussion for Complete Newbies.
Posts: 834
Threads: 112
Joined: Jul 2012
Reputation:
80
Point 4 of phase 1 (meld + points) is part of bidding mechanics, so you jump around...not good. Meld counting, counters, bidding mechanics, making the bid, rule of 20.
Posts: 642
Threads: 111
Joined: Apr 2011
Reputation:
10
So how does this order look:
Phase 1:
Meld Counting
Counters/Non-Counters
Bidding Mechanics (Meld + Points = Making The Bid/Not Making the Bid)
Rule of 20/Trump Suit Requires Marriage/Last Trick
Playing the Hand - The "Musts" (Must follow suit, must play to win the trick, must trump when out of the suit, etc.)
Phase 2:
Trick Counting
Basic Bidding System
Fundamental Game Play
- as Declarer
- as Dummy
- as Defense
More thoughts/discussion please, then I want to move on to a Basic Trick Counting Discussion for Complete Newbies.
Posts: 163
Threads: 19
Joined: Jan 2013
Reputation:
24
I took beginner bridge lessons many years back.
I would suggest you look at some of the bridge teaching systems.
Cards are played for fun. The fun is playing the hand.
Make the lesson fun by playing hands as quickly as possible.
0 Suits - What is a trump suit, what is an off suit, how they differ.
1 Playing the Hand - The "Musts" (Must follow suit, must play to win the trick, must trump when out of the suit, etc.)
2 Counters/Non-Counters - Turning tricks into points as points are needed to win.
With that put some very simple situations up for the students. 1 suit, 1 or 2 card examples. Second Hand Low, Third Hand High, Trapping cards
This is fun for those who want to play cards.
The students see small examples how correct play maximizes tricks/counters and how other choices lead to fewer points.
Now the students can play Baby Pinochle. The students get a hand and are told who is on opening lead, what is trump, and how many points Declarer and Partner need to rake in. They will not be able to remember the other hands so a hand cam b e replayed to teach fundamentals.
Students who like to play cards will have fun with this limited form of the game. And have questions on how the real game is played.
Now you can start mixing in bidding and hand evaluation. Without some idea about how suits and cards work, the minutia of bidding will appear pointless. Watch the faces of the defenders the first time Declarer and Partner run off a long suit. Then give the Defenders a Cross-Ruff to run. Now everyone starts to see the real value of long/short suits.
Rick
Rick Hall
Posts: 7
Threads: 1
Joined: Feb 2013
Reputation:
0
Remember when learning this game even if you suck start off slow and play like a rookie and learn to grow but i will say this dont ever stay closed minded with one track views theres alot of things to learn for diffrent situations when trying to pick up more advanced play the worst thing you can do is allow yourself to believe its the best way to play without looking at the big picture !!
