Pitch is a card game that is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. It is a trick-taking game, which means that the goal of the game is to win the majority of the tricks. Pitch is a popular game in the United States, and it is often played in bars and other social settings.
The game is played with four players, who are divided into two teams of two. Each player is dealt 13 cards, and the remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the table. The player to the left of the dealer leads the first trick by playing a card. The other players must then follow suit if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, they can play any card.
The highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. If two or more players play the same card, the player who played the card first wins the trick. The player who wins the trick collects the cards that were played and places them in a pile in front of them. The player who wins the most tricks wins the game.
Understanding the Basics of Pitch
Pitch is an exciting card game enjoyed by people of all ages. It combines elements of strategy, skill, and a touch of luck. Understanding the basic rules and concepts is essential for grasping the game’s mechanics. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the fundamentals:
Objective of the Game
The objective of Pitch is to be the first team or individual to reach the predetermined score, typically 200 or 500 points. Points are earned by capturing tricks and meeting specific bidding requirements during gameplay.
Number of Players
Pitch is typically played with four players in two partnerships or by two players (individual Pitch). Each partnership or individual sits opposite each other at the table.
The Deck
A standard 52-card deck is used in Pitch. The cards are ranked from Ace (highest) to Two (lowest). The suits (spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs) have no bearing on the gameplay.
Dealing and Bidding
The dealer distributes 6 cards to each player in two rounds of three cards. Players then take turns bidding on the number of tricks they believe their team or themselves will take. The highest bidder chooses the trump suit, which determines the hierarchy of cards during gameplay.
| Card | Rank |
|---|---|
| Ace | Highest |
| King | |
| Queen | |
| Jack | |
| 10 | |
| 9 | |
| 8 | |
| 7 | |
| 6 | |
| 5 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
| 2 | Lowest |
Gameplay Structure
Pitch is played with a standard deck of 52 cards. The game is typically played with four players in two partnerships, but it can also be played with three or five players.
The game begins with the dealer shuffling the deck and dealing 13 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed face down in a pile in the center of the table.
The player to the left of the dealer begins the game by playing a card face up on the table. The next player must then play a card of the same suit as the first card played. If they cannot play a card of the same suit, they must play a trump card. A trump card is a card of the spade suit, and it can beat any other card.
The player who plays the highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. The player who wins the trick then leads the next card.
Objective
The objective of Pitch is to be the first partnership to reach 100 points. Points are scored by taking tricks. A trick is worth 1 point, and a trump trick is worth 2 points.
The partnership that reaches 100 points first wins the game.
Scoring
The following table shows how many points each trick is worth:
| Trick Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Regular trick | 1 |
| Trump trick | 2 |
Choosing Pitch and Trump Suits
Determining the pitch and trump suits in Pitch is crucial for strategic gameplay. The “pitching” involves each player contributing three cards face down to the kitty, and the suit of the first card played from the kitty becomes the trump suit. Players must carefully consider the strength of their hands and the cards played by their opponents before making their pitch decisions.
The number of cards in each suit that a player pitches can significantly affect the gameplay. For example, pitching three cards of a suit shows strong support for that suit, increasing the chances of winning tricks. Pitching two cards of a suit indicates moderate support, while pitching only one card of a suit suggests limited strength in that suit.
Factors Influencing Pitch Decisions
Several factors come into play when making pitch decisions:
-
Void Suits:
If a player has a void suit (no cards in that suit), they should consider pitching it to gain the advantage of being able to discard losing cards in that suit.
-
Short Suits:
Players with short suits (fewer than four cards) may benefit from pitching them to avoid being forced to lead that suit later in the game.
-
Number of Aces and High Cards:
Players with multiple aces or high cards in a particular suit may choose to pitch other cards from that suit to strengthen their hand and increase their chances of winning tricks.
-
Cards Played by Opponents:
Observing the cards played by opponents can provide clues about the strength of their suits and help players make informed pitch decisions.
Bidding and Doubling
Bidding in Pitch is a crucial aspect of the game that sets the stage for the subsequent gameplay. After the cards are dealt, each player has the opportunity to bid, starting with the player to the left of the dealer. Bidding involves two components: the number of tricks a player believes their team can take, and the suit they choose to be the trump suit.
Bidding Process
Each player, in turn, can bid a number ranging from 1 to 13, or they can pass. The bid represents the number of tricks they believe their team can take. The minimum bid is 1, and the maximum bid is 13, which is known as “slam.” A player can also bid “nil,” which indicates that they believe their team will not take any tricks.
Suit Selection
In addition to choosing the number of tricks, the highest bidder also selects the suit that will be the trump suit for that hand. The trump suit is the suit that beats all other suits, allowing players to take tricks even if they do not have the highest card in the suit initially played.
Doubling
Once the bidding process is complete, players have the option to double the contract by betting double the number of points. This indicates that they believe the opposing team will not be able to make their bid and adds an element of risk to the game. A doubled contract is worth 6 points instead of 3 if successful. The opposing team can then either “take the double” or “pass the double.” If they take the double, they must make the doubled bid to win the hand. If they pass the double, the bidding process ends, and the contract remains as it was before the double.
| Bid | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3 |
| 2-12 | 1 |
| 13 | 4 |
| Doubled 1 | 6 |
| Doubled 2-12 | 2 |
| Doubled 13 | 8 |
| Nil made | 10 |
| Nil not made | -10 |
Playing Out the Round
Once the trump suit has been determined, the players begin playing out the round. The player to the left of the dealer leads with any card. The other players must follow suit if they can. If they cannot, they may play any card, including a trump card. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless a trump card is played, in which case the highest trump card wins.
Playing a Card
When it is your turn to play a card, you must follow these rules:
- You must play a card of the suit that was led, if you have one.
- If you do not have a card of the suit that was led, you may play any card, including a trump card.
- If you have a choice of which card to play, you should try to play a card that will help you win the trick.
Winning the Trick
The player who plays the highest card of the suit that was led wins the trick. If a trump card is played, the player who plays the highest trump card wins the trick.
Taking the Trick
The player who wins the trick takes all of the cards that were played in the trick and places them in their own pile. The player who wins the trick then leads with the first card of the next trick.
Scoring
The game continues until one player has won all of the tricks. The player who wins the most tricks scores points. The number of points that a player scores depends on the number of tricks that they win. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins.
Scoring and Winning
When playing Pitch, the goal is to be the first to reach 21 points by bidding on and taking tricks. The scoring system is as follows:
Bidding
The bidding round determines how many tricks a team must take in order to score points. The person who bids the highest number of tricks becomes the pitcher, and their team must take that number of tricks to score points.
Taking Tricks
A trick consists of four cards, one played by each player in turn. The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, unless a trump card is played. Trump cards are the highest-ranking cards in the game, and they can beat any other card.
Scoring
If the pitcher’s team takes the number of tricks they bid, they score 1 point for each trick. If they take more tricks than they bid, they score an additional 1 point for each extra trick. If they take fewer tricks than they bid, they lose 1 point for each trick they missed.
Under Pitching
If the pitcher’s team takes fewer tricks than they bid, they are said to have “under pitched.” Under pitching results in a loss of 1 point for each trick they missed.
Over Pitching
If the pitcher’s team takes more tricks than they bid, they are said to have “over pitched.” Over pitching results in a loss of 1 point for each extra trick they took.
Winning
The game of Pitch is won by the first team to reach 21 points. If both teams reach 21 points in the same round, the team with the highest score wins.
Variations of Pitch Card Game
Four-Handed Pitch
In this variation, four players compete as two teams of two. Partners sit opposite each other. The game plays similarly to regular pitch, with the exception of the bidding process.
Partnership Pitch
This variation is played with four or more players, with players competing as individuals rather than as teams. The goal is to be the first player to reach a predetermined score.
No Trump Pitch
This variation is similar to regular pitch, but with the added restriction that thetrump suit cannot be played.
High-Low Pitch
This variation introduces a new objective: to win both the high and low tricks in a hand. Points are awarded for winning tricks with high cards, low cards, or both.
Chicago Pitch
This variation features a unique bidding system and scoring rules. Players must bid a number of tricks they believe they can take, and points are awarded for both making and failing a bid.
Double Dummy Pitch
In this variation, all players’ hands are exposed to everyone at the table. This allows for more strategic gameplay and reduces the element of luck.
Speed Pitch
This variation emphasizes speed and competition. Timed rounds encourage players to play quickly and accurately. Points are awarded based on the number of tricks taken and the time taken to complete the round.
| Variation | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Four-Handed Pitch | Teams of two, modified bidding process |
| Partnership Pitch | Individual competition, race to predetermined score |
| No Trump Pitch | Trump suit cannot be played |
| High-Low Pitch | Objective to win both high and low tricks |
| Chicago Pitch | Unique bidding and scoring system, based on making bids |
| Double Dummy Pitch | All hands exposed, allows for strategic gameplay |
| Speed Pitch | Timed rounds, emphasis on speed and accuracy |
Strategy and Skill Development
Developing Your Skills
Playing pitch requires a combination of strategy and skill. While some natural talent can help, developing your skills through practice and study is crucial. Here are key areas to focus on:
Pitching
Mastering the art of pitching is essential. Learn to control the speed, direction, and distance of your pitches to effectively outwit your opponent and score points.
Catching
Good hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes are necessary for successful catching. Practice catching high, low, and angled pitches to cover all possible shots.
Bidding
Developing strong bidding skills is crucial. Learn to evaluate your hand, count the cards, and make informed bids that increase your chances of winning.
Bluffing
Bluffing is an integral part of pitch. Learn to read the body language and bidding patterns of your opponents and use that information to make strategic bluffs that can confuse and outplay them.
Table Talk
Observe the conversations and patterns at the table. Pay attention to the bids, bluffs, and overall strategy employed by other players. This information can provide valuable insights and help you adjust your tactics accordingly.
Rotating Pitchers
Pitching can be physically demanding. Consider rotating pitchers within your team to maintain stamina and effectiveness throughout the game.
Understanding the Scorecard
Familiarize yourself with the scorecard used in pitch. This will enable you to track points, calculate scores, and determine the game’s progress.
Tournament Strategy
Participating in tournaments requires a different mindset. Develop strategies for playing against multiple opponents, adapting to different table dynamics, and managing the pressure of competitive play to increase your chances of success.
Etiquette and Good Sportsmanship
Pitch is a game of skill and strategy, but it’s also a social game. As such, it’s important to observe good etiquette and sportsmanship.
Basic Etiquette
- Be respectful of your opponents. Don’t talk over them or argue with them.
- Don’t cheat. This includes not looking at your opponents’ cards or signaling to your partner.
- Be a good loser. If you lose, congratulate the winners and don’t make excuses.
- Be a good winner. If you win, don’t gloat or rub it in your opponents’ faces.
Advanced Etiquette
- Don’t take the game too seriously. It’s just a game, and it’s not worth getting upset over.
- Have fun. Pitch is a great game, and it should be enjoyed by everyone who plays it.
- Be a team player. If you’re playing with a partner, work together to win. Don’t try to hog all the glory.
- Don’t give up. Even if you’re losing, never give up. You never know when you might come back and win.
- Don’t be a sore loser. If you lose, don’t make excuses or blame your partner. Just accept defeat and move on.
| Good Sportsmanship | Bad Sportsmanship |
|---|---|
| Congratulating the winners | Making excuses for losing |
| Not gloating | Rubbing it in the winners’ faces |
| Working together with your partner | Trying to hog all the glory |
| Never giving up | Giving up easily |
Pitch for Advanced Players
Bids
Blind Nil: A blind nil is declaring that you will not take any tricks without looking at your hand.
This requires rolling a 9 or 10 and is extremely risky but can be very rewarding.
Countering the Blind Nil
High Jacks: If you believe the player who bid blind nil has four jacks or more, you can counter by bidding high jacks. This means you must take at least 4 tricks with jack(s).
Advanced Bidding Considerations
Pass Under: If you believe the lead bid is too low, you can pass under and double their bid, forcing them to take that specific number of tricks.
For example, if the lead bid is 3, you can pass under and bid 6, forcing them to take 6 tricks instead of 3.
Blind Bluff: A blind bluff is a risky move where you bid without knowing the strength of your hand.
This is a strategic play that is often used to disrupt the bidding or as a countermeasure to a bluff.
Skip Bidding: When you bid, you can skip the number of tricks you believe the lead bid is too low.
For example, if the lead bid is 3, and you believe it should be at least 5, you can bid 5 and skip 4.
Other Advanced Techniques
The Finnish: A Finnish is a play where you discard all but four cards.
This is used to reduce the risk of being caught with a weak hand.
Saving Jacks: When you are playing with jacks and know you have a strong hand, you may want to avoid playing them early to save them for later tricks when they are more valuable.
Leading with a Weak Suit: Leading with a weak suit can be a strategic play to force your opponents to play their strongest cards and exhaust their resources.
Double-Dumping: If you have two or more cards in the same suit, you can double-dump them on the same trick to increase your chances of taking it.
Playing Off-Suit Jacks: Playing jacks off-suit can throw off your opponents and potentially help you take tricks that you might not have taken otherwise.
How to Play Pitch Card Game
Pitch is a trick-taking card game that is played with a deck of 32 cards, which includes the 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, and ace of each suit. The game is played by four players in two partnerships, and the objective is to be the first partnership to reach 10 points.
To start the game, the dealer shuffles the deck and deals 8 cards to each player. The remaining cards are placed in a pile in the center of the table. The player to the left of the dealer leads with any card, and the other players must follow suit if they can. If a player cannot follow suit, they may play any card.
The highest card of the suit led wins the trick, and the player who wins the trick leads the next card. If a player wins a trick with a jack, they may call “pitch”. This means that the other players must discard one card from their hand. The player who called “pitch” then leads the next card.
The game continues until one partnership reaches 10 points. A partnership scores 1 point for each trick it takes, and an additional 1 point if it takes all 8 tricks in a hand. If a partnership scores 10 points in a single hand, it is called a “high pitch” and the partnership scores 2 points instead of 1.
People Also Ask
How many cards are in a pitch deck?
There are 32 cards in a pitch deck, which includes the 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, and ace of each suit.
How many players play pitch?
Pitch is played by four players in two partnerships.
What is the objective of pitch?
The objective of pitch is to be the first partnership to reach 10 points.
What is the highest card in pitch?
The ace is the highest card in pitch.
What is a “pitch”?
A “pitch” is when a player wins a trick with a jack and calls “pitch”. This means that the other players must discard one card from their hand.
What is a “high pitch”?
A “high pitch” is when a partnership scores 10 points in a single hand. The partnership scores 2 points instead of 1 for a high pitch.
