This card game is similar to Euchre except it is a double deck which adds a twist. The most challenging part of the game for those not experienced with Euchre, is that the Jacks change roll based on what trump is called. If Hearts is trump, then the Jacks of Hearts is the highest cards and since Hearts is red, the other red suit is Diamonds this makes the Jacks of Diamonds second highest trump. (The Jack of Diamonds does not get played as a Diamond because it became a trump and must be played when Hearts are led) The Trump ranking is Jack of Hearts, Jack of Diamonds, Ace, King, Queen, Ten and Nine in that order. All other suites are Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten, and Nine (except Diamonds no longer has a Jack - it moved to the Trump group).
Cards
You can use a Pinochle deck or two regular playing card decks. You play with the following cards:
Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten and Nine.
You should have two of each card.
Players
Either four or six players divided into two teams sitting alternate around the table. If there are four players remove the Nines, and Tens (making your hand looking deceptively good).
How to Play
Dealer deals all cards, usually by two or three cards to each player alternating each round until each player has eight cards.
The player left of the dealer begins the bid but does not announce the trump. The player may pass or bid how many trick the player thinks the team can win. The minimum bid is four. The next player can pass or bid higher than the previous player. The dealer ends the bidding and can pass if another player bid. If all players pass, the dealer is 'stuck' with the minimum bid of four unless the dealer wishes to go Hazi or alone.
The player that wins the bid can then announce which suit is trump, and begins the play. Players must follow suit, if possible. The highest card played goes to the team that won and that player then starts the round. If there is a duplicate card played, the first card is the winner.
The dealer has the risk of getting stuck with the bid, but has the advantage of being able to steal a Hazi with a Hazi, or a Loner with a Loner. The player that went first the prior round becomes the dealer for the next round.
Hazi
A player may go Hazi, which means the other team player(s) will sit out. The player announce Trump and then will discard two cards. If there is one team player, the the team player will pass two cards. If there are two team players, then each team player passes one card.
Loner
A player may go alone, which means the other team player(s) will sit out. No cards will be discarded or passed. The player announces Trump and then begins play.
Scoring
Each team receives one point for each trick won.
If the team that won the bid does not reach that goal, the subtract the bid from their total score.
Hozi - If the player gets all the tricks the team is awarded 16 point. If the player loses one or more tricks, the team loses 8 points. The team is not awarded for any tricks won.
Loner - If the player gets all the tricks the team is awarded 32 points. If the player loses one or more tricks, the team loses 16 points. The team is not awarded for any tricks won.
The first team to get at least 64 points wins.