Pinochle +4

While there are some frustrating flaws (more on this), I enjoy using a couple of features to “cheat” in a way that allows me to develop a more complete view of bidding and play possibilities. I ‘turn on’ view of all hands. This let’s me think through how I would bid ‘without view’ and then bid the best possible play. This also allows me to see some of the most ‘glaring’ flaws (which are in partner bidding and play - though also in passing). I often pass to allow partner to win bid .. only to have partner relinquish too early. I have also passed a perfect ‘Shoot the Moon’ hand and been stunned as partner destroys it with the pass back. Playing errors tend to be more subtle, and fall into two categories, one being feeding points with too high of a card and the other demonstrating no knowledge of suit counts (this may also have contributed to the aforementioned ‘Shoot the Moon’ destruction). Passing time playing this game despite the flaws, gives me all I can really expect (especially considering that it is free).

The opposing team always seem to get a ton of meld usually enough to only have to pull a few tricks or none. Even when they get stuck with the bid and have no meld they still manage to win the hand. I’ve been counting how many aces they get between them and more often than not they get 6 or more. Plus my partner leaves me stuck when they clearly could have taken the bid. Sometime I replay the hand and choose the suit they have the most of and then we win the hand.

Despite the above I have manage to win a few games. And occasionally manage to get good hands but not nearly the same as the other team.

The person who wrote the program is responsible for the stupid, ignorant, idiotic plays coming from the north jerk. N will pass holding a nice run, always saves a point card to give to E W on the last play when E W always saves a trump card for the extra point. When S picks trump, idiot N always holds the 10 when passing cards in deference to the J or Q. It really angers me when it means no run and a poor hand. N ALWAYS BIDS INTO THE 30’s when holding 3 aces even with the rest of the hand garbage! If N is dealt 3 out of 4 pinochle, get ready for a high mid 30 or higher bid. I see all this because I show all cards. N will always pass a double J or Q with the 3 card pass to S instead of Aces, when S takes the bid, more often than not ruining more possible points. I am bidding toward a strong hand and the double pass, especially J’s is worthless and shows that the programmer doesn’t understand the game enough. Please fix these stated problems. I’ve sworn off this game over 100 times because of them but keep coming back one more time.