THE DEAL – Dealer gives 12 cards to each player, non-dealer first, dealt three or four cards at a time. When duplicates are played to same trick (as two Q♠) the first played hand ranks higher. RANK OF CARDS – A (high), 10, K, Q, J, 9 (low) in each of the four suits, with two of each card. THE DECK – A 48-card Pinochle pack is used. This is the basic version designed for two players.