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).

I love playing pinochle and when I cannot get together with my pinochle friends I play on my ipad. I am addicted. In general I like this game although it has a few glitches. First, the other bots make bidding a real challenge. They will bid ridiculously high with no meld to support such a bid. They always seem to have aces making getting by them to your partner almost impossible. And my ‘partner’ does stupid stuff. In trying to get the opponents trump out she will lead with a 10 that is then lost to an Ace when they could accomplish the same thing with a Jack or Queen (I know this because it is a simple matter to count trump when you have most of them!) Also, my ‘partner’ bids against me over and over and when I finally give up I find out that she has a tiny run while I had almost a double run that I gave up thinking she MUST have something amazing. No she did not! But all in all it is still a fun substitute for the real thing.

This game is a great game. There are rarely any glitches and not too much advertisements. I love that you can undo a play and replay a hand. This allows good practicing. There are also many options which are awesome! I am not sure the people making the AI have actually played the game. I tried writing in suggestions, but nothing changed. One is when that the winning bidder keeps a double pinochle even though trump is not spades or diamonds. Another is that the computer player takes a risky bid even though they almost have the winning score and the opposing teams is far from winning. Lastly, your computer partner will overbid you and then immediately pass.

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.