<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Related games </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Bezique, Marjolet, Binokel </Td> </Tr> <P> Pinochle (English: / ˈpiːnʌkəl /) or binocle (sometimes pinocle, or penuchle) is a trick - taking card game typically for two to four players and played with a 48 - card deck . It is derived from the card game bezique; players score points by trick - taking and also by forming combinations of cards into melds . It is thus considered part of a "trick - and - meld" category which also includes the game belote . Each hand is played in three phases: bidding, melds, and tricks . The standard game today is called "partnership auction pinochle ." </P> <P> Pinochle derives from the game bezique . Its name comes from the French word binocle meaning "eyeglasses". The word is also possibly derived from the French word binage for the combination of cards called "binocle". This latter pronunciation of the game was adopted by German speakers . German immigrants brought the game to America, where it was later mispronounced and misspelled "pinochle ." </P>

How many cards are in a pinochle deck