# Cutthroat Pinochle — 3-handed trick-taking game

> Three-handed trick-taking card game with bidding, melding, and scoring. (iPhone/iPad app by fishdog.net.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cutthroat-pinochle/id733060571 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [fishdog.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/337519299)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Card, Family
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 1,780 App Store ratings · 69 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 52 MB
- Languages: German (Germany), American English, Turkish
- Released: 2014-07-05
- Data updated: 2026-08-26
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cutthroat-pinochle/id733060571/reviews.md

## What is Cutthroat Pinochle?

From the developer of the most popular Pinochle app in the App Store comes a 3-handed pinochle app, Cutthroat Pinochle. 

Cutthroat Pinochle is played with a special 48-card deck of 9s, 10s, jacks, queens, kings and aces. The game consists of a repeating sequence of bidding (for the right to take the optional kitty and name trump), melding, and trick-taking. Players score points by melding various card combinations and by taking tricks. Adjust the rules to play the game you're familiar with.

## Key features

- 3-handed gameplay
- Special 48-card deck
- Bidding for trump
- Melding card combinations
- Trick-taking
- Customizable rules

## What do users think of Cutthroat Pinochle?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎉 Enjoyable and challenging gameplay
- 🧠 Helps keep the mind sharp
- 👍 Smooth and responsive app
- 💕 Great for long-time Pinochle fans

**Cons**

- 🤔 Questionable AI behavior and decision-making
- 🤖 Opponents sometimes give points to the bidder
- 🤯 Frequent mandatory opening bids lead to frustration
- 🤷‍♀️ Inconsistent with real-world Pinochle rules

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Occasional freezing and performance issues
- Inconsistent card dealing and meld scoring

**Most requested features**

- Minimum points required to save meld
- Option to toggle auto-complete
- Separate card suits for better visibility
- Double-deck Pinochle mode
- More detailed game statistics

## Recent user reviews (10 of 69)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cutthroat-pinochle/id733060571/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Wild West

*2026-05-12, version 26.0.2*

Play the 6 hand kitty!

### 1/5 — Worst player

*2026-03-13, version 26.0.2*

Adding to the review: the developers KNOW there is a major glitch in the game, but they refuse to address it…..have tried to communicate, but they ignore your concerns..

### 1/5 — Worst player

*2026-03-05*

Game is great except West is a horrible player. I know that it computer generated, but OMG West is terrible. Can you work with it to at least make him/her smart enough to be competitive. 
Adding to the review: the developers KNOW there is a major glitch in the game, but they refuse to address it…..have tried to communicate, but they ignore your concerns..

### 5/5 — Smooth

*2026-03-02, version 26.0.2*

No interruptions.

### 5/5 — Excellent app

*2026-02-26, version 26.0.2*

Very good app. It’s just 3 player pinochle and it’s perfect! 
I did like the menu bar at the top of the screen better than in a menu bar. I would have skipped this update had I known it was changing.

### 5/5 — Love this game!

*2025-10-31, version 6.5.1*

I play every day and really enjoy the recent update. Thanks.

### 1/5 — Kdub615

*2025-08-05, version 6.5.1*

You should have to make 20 to save points make bid. Other 2 players need 15 to save meld .

### 5/5 — Hard work

*2025-07-16, version 6.5.1*

Great game

### 4/5 — Good, but not as good as it could be

*2025-05-18, version 6.5.1*

The game controls are easy to use and the graphics are appealing. It works smoothly most of the time with occasional glitches. One improvement to the rules options would take it from 4 to 5 in my opinion. There should be a minimum pull option, that way even with a high meld the bid could be lost-this is a common practice and makes the game more challenging. Power in the hand should be a factor, not just high meld

### 5/5 — Cutthroat

*2024-11-18, version 6.5.1*

I watched my father and his group play and I’ve been playing for close to 60 years.
Cutthroat is a great deal of fun. It certainly keeps the mind sharp.

## Frequently asked questions about Cutthroat Pinochle

### What is Cutthroat Pinochle?

Cutthroat Pinochle is a 3-handed trick-taking card game. It involves bidding for the right to name trump, melding specific card combinations for points, and taking tricks. The game uses a special 48-card deck.

### How do you score points in Cutthroat Pinochle?

Players score points in two main ways: by melding various card combinations (like sequences or sets) and by successfully taking tricks during the game. The bidding phase determines who gets to name the trump suit.

### Can I customize the rules of Cutthroat Pinochle?

Yes, the app allows you to adjust the rules to play the game in a way that you are familiar with. This means you can tailor aspects of the bidding, melding, and trick-taking to your preferences.

### What kind of deck does Cutthroat Pinochle use?

The game utilizes a special 48-card deck. This deck consists of cards from 9s up to Aces, specifically 9s, 10s, jacks, queens, kings, and aces. This is a common deck for Pinochle variations.

### Is Cutthroat Pinochle free to play?

The application is free to download and play. It is supported by advertisements, meaning you will see ads while using the app. There are no in-app purchases mentioned for removing ads or unlocking features.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 26.0.2 — 2025-11-12

Minor bug fixes.

### 26.0.1 — 2025-11-02

Improved support for latest devices and OS versions.

### 6.5.1 — 2024-09-24

Improved card sizing and positioning on newest phones. Minor bug fixes.

### 6.5.0 — 2024-09-23

Adds support for new devices and OS versions. Minor bug fixes.

### 6.4.0 — 2023-10-13

Support for latest OS versions and devices; bug fixes.

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All apps by fishdog.net: https://appshunter.io/developer/337519299

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*