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Download on Google Play- Use a 48-card double deck (two of each 7 through Ace) with 3 or 4 players.
- Deal 12 cards each; remaining cards form a talon.
- Players bid on their expected total; the highest bidder takes the talon.
- Declare melds (pairs, families, four-of-a-kind, Binokel) for points before tricks.
- Follow suit; if unable, trump; must overtrump if possible.
- The highest trump or first-played highest card of the led suit wins.
- Aces: 11, Tens: 10, Kings: 4, Queens: 3, Jacks: 2. Last trick: 10 bonus.
- Melds: pairs 20 (40 in trump), Binokel 40, double Binokel 300.
- Failing the bid subtracts the bid amount from your score.
Rules
Binokel is a Swabian card game from southern Germany that combines trick-taking with melding. Played with a distinctive 48-card double deck, it features an elaborate melding phase where players score points for specific card combinations before trick play begins.
Objective
Score the most points through a combination of melds declared before play and point cards captured during tricks. The player or team reaching the agreed point total first wins the overall game.
Setup
- Players: 3 or 4 players (4 in partnerships).
- Deck: 48-card double deck with two copies each of 7 through Ace in all four suits.
- Deal: Each player receives 12 cards (3-player) or 12 cards (4-player), dealt in batches. A talon of remaining cards is set aside.
- Bidding: Players bid on the total points they expect to score from melds and tricks. The highest bidder picks up the talon.
Melding Phase
- Pairs: A king and queen of the same suit score 20 points (40 in trump).
- Family: King, queen, and jack of trump score 150 points.
- Binokel: Queen of spades and jack of diamonds together score 40 points. Double Binokel scores 300.
- Four of a kind: Four aces score 100, four kings 80, four queens 60, four jacks 40.
Gameplay
- Leading: The bid winner leads the first trick after all melds are declared.
- Following suit: Players must follow suit. If unable, they must trump. If they have neither, they may play any card.
- Overtrumping: If trump has been played, subsequent players must play a higher trump if possible.
- Winning tricks: The highest trump wins. Without trump, the highest card of the led suit wins. For identical cards, the first one played takes precedence.
Scoring
- Aces: 11 points each.
- Tens: 10 points each.
- Kings: 4 points each.
- Queens: 3 points each.
- Jacks: 2 points each.
- Last trick: Worth an additional 10 points.
- Bid failure: If the bidder fails to reach their bid total, the bid amount is subtracted from their score.
Tips and Strategies
- Bid based on guaranteed melds plus a realistic estimate of trick points rather than hoping for a lucky talon draw.
- The double Binokel combination is extremely rare but worth watching for, as its 300-point value can swing an entire game.
- Count points carefully during trick play to know whether you have met your bid before the round ends.
Tips & Strategy
Master the meld values so you can quickly assess your hand's potential during bidding. Overbidding is the most common cause of losing in Binokel.
The talon pickup is a pivotal moment. Experienced players assess how the talon cards complement their existing melds before deciding which cards to discard and what strategy to pursue in tricks.
Trivia & Fun Facts
The namesake meld, the Binokel (queen of spades paired with jack of diamonds), is thought to symbolize a royal mismatch, which is why it carries special scoring value.
Which two specific cards make up the Binokel meld in the game of the same name?
History & Culture
Binokel developed in the Swabian region of southwestern Germany and is closely related to the French game Bézique and the American game Pinochle. It has been a Swabian cultural institution for over two centuries.
Binokel is a source of regional pride in Swabia and is played at dedicated tournaments, folk festivals, and in Swabian cultural clubs around the world.
Variations & House Rules
Three-player and four-player versions differ significantly in talon handling and partnership dynamics. Some regions play with a 40-card deck instead of 48.
Beginners may want to play open-meld rounds where all melds are visible to practice recognizing combinations before moving to hidden melds.
