12-04-2014, 01:54 PM
I began playing pinochle about 1948, Double Deck, on USN ships at sea for over 3 1/2 years, (USN 8/47 to 8/51). Army 11/51 and retired army 11/1989, included 16 years active-duty, including 13 years overseas. Mostly Germany and Austria. We played Double Deck "every chance duty permitted". Always played a penny a point; $__ a game; $1 if set and forfeited (threw in) the hand; $2 if set when playing the hand; Game winning partners didn't pay for "sets". Once in a great while when only 3 players available we played "Three Handed cut throat", penny a point etc as above notes. -- How often I play now? Usually, at least 2-3 days a week at local Senior Center. I play ONLY 4-handed partnership, although some of the "oldies" play "sort of" Double Deck, 5-6 handed, and sometimes Single Deck. Those odd kind of "sort of" pinochle I never play are sort of a "pet peeve", I suppose, since I had never heard of those kind of games. And not interested in learning or playing them!! The Center does have some reasonably good players. Maybe "2" that I would have as a partner in a lower costing fee-to-play "money game". -- "Published works": I authored "HOW TO WIN" - AS "WEB" PLAYS IT". Clubs and groups have used it as reference. Six pages (small print) is 90%+ of "Strategies", but has Rules referred to within "a strategy". -- I have almost always played in clubs and Double Deck groups that played in accordance with national pinochle associations such as NPA. -- I "love" Double Deck and playing against the "best" partnerships. I believe that Dbl Deck is by far the best card game in the world! If a 4th player is needed and I get a call, even if middle of the night and not too distant from home, "I'll be there ASAP). I don't "make the rules", I only type them up and distribute to beginners and less skilled players, but I adhere to all of them, even though there may be "some rule" that I may not necessarily "like". (Continuation of 40 years army discipline?)..
