Cutthroat is a fast-paced three-handed every man for himself Pinochle game.

Cutthroat is a popular Pinochle variation for three players. Unlike most partnership Pinochle games, Cutthroat pits each player against one another, every man for himself. It’s a fast-paced, highly competitive, and very strategic card game, requiring careful planning, good memory and discipline.

In this game, you can play online against real people or choose between 8 computer opponents, each with different skill levels and unique styles of playing. Each player is dealt 15 cards with 3 cards dealt face-down to the widow. Players bid after initial cards are dealt and the high bidder combines the widow cards to potentially form a stronger hand, then discarding the three weakest cards.

As of this release there are 12 options to customize game play to user preferences:

Number of Decks: Single|Double

Sound Effects: On|Off

Game Speed: Normal|Fast|Slow

Undo Button: On|Off

Must bid to win: On|Off

Minimum Trick Points: 0|1|2

Minimum Bid: 15|20|25

Bid Increment: 1|2|3

Point to Win: 75|100|150

Must Throw Higher Card: On|Off|Trumps

Must have marriage in trump: On|Off

Winner if multiple players make winning score

What's New in the Latest Version 4.2.0

Last updated on Apr 18, 2024

Added Expert-level tables

Introduction

Cutthroat Pinochle is a variant of the classic card game Pinochle, known for its fast-paced and competitive gameplay. It is a trick-taking game played with a specialized deck of 48 cards. The goal of the game is to be the first player to reach a predetermined score, typically 1,000 points.

Gameplay

Cutthroat Pinochle is played by four players in two partnerships. The deck consists of four suits: clubs, diamonds, hearts, and spades, with each suit containing cards numbered 9 through ace and a queen. The queen of spades is the highest-ranking card in the game.

The game begins with the dealer distributing 12 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in a central pile known as the "kitty." The player to the left of the dealer leads with any card. The other players must follow suit if possible. If they cannot follow suit, they may play any card, including a trump card.

Trump cards are designated by the suit that is turned up when the kitty is cut. The trump suit can change during the game. If a player plays a trump card, it automatically wins the trick.

The trick is won by the player who plays the highest-ranking card of the suit led, or the highest-ranking trump card. The winner of the trick collects the cards and leads the next trick.

Scoring

Points are awarded for taking tricks and for capturing certain cards. Taking a trick is worth 10 points. Capturing the queen of spades is worth 60 points. Capturing any other queen is worth 30 points.

The game continues until one partnership reaches the predetermined score. The partnership with the highest score wins the game.

Strategy

Cutthroat Pinochle requires a combination of strategy and luck. Players must carefully manage their cards, decide when to lead with trumps, and anticipate the moves of their opponents.

Some common strategies include:

* Leading with high-ranking cards: This can help establish dominance early in the game.

* Holding back trump cards: This can be used to surprise opponents and win key tricks.

* Melding: Combining cards of the same rank or suit to create melds can increase the number of points earned.

* Communicating with your partner: Subtle gestures or signals can help convey information about your hand.

Variations

There are several variations of Cutthroat Pinochle, including:

* Partners Cutthroat: Players play in partnerships of two.

* Solo Cutthroat: Players play individually.

* Double Cutthroat: Players can double the value of a trick by playing a double pinochle card.