How to Play Pitch
The classic American trick-taking game (also called Setback)
Objective
Win bids and capture point cards (High, Low, Jack, Game) to reach the winning score - typically 11 or 21 points.
Players
4 players in two partnerships, sitting across from each other. Can also be played with 2-6 individually.
Cards
Standard 52-card deck. Trump cards rank A-K-Q-J-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2. Other suits don't matter for tricks.
Regional Names
Also known as Setback, High-Low-Jack, and Smear. Popular in the Midwest and South.
Game Setup
Form Partnerships
Four players form two teams. Partners sit across from each other.
Determine Dealer
Cut for high card - highest deals first. Deal rotates clockwise.
Deal Cards
Deal 6 cards to each player - either 3 at a time (two rounds) or 2 at a time (three rounds).
Bidding
Bidding Order
Starting with the player left of the dealer, each player bids once or passes. Bidding continues clockwise.
Bid Values
Bid 1, 2, 3, or 4 - representing how many of the 4 possible points you expect your team to win. Each bid must be higher than the previous.
Dealer's Privilege
If all pass, the dealer MUST bid at least 1 (they're "stuck"). The dealer can also "steal" the bid by matching the current high bid.
Bid of 4 = "Shoot the Moon"
A bid of 4 means your team is going for all 4 points. Very aggressive! Some versions call this "smudge" and award bonus points.
Pitching Trump
The "Pitch"
The high bidder "pitches" (leads) the first card. Whatever suit they lead becomes trump for the entire hand. This is how the game gets its name!
Playing Tricks
Lead Any Card
After the first trick, the winner of each trick leads any card to the next trick.
Following Suit
When trump is led, you MUST follow with trump if you have any. When a non-trump is led, you may either follow suit OR play trump - your choice!
Winning Tricks
The highest trump wins. If no trump played, highest card of the led suit wins. Winner leads next.
Key Rule: Trump is Special
You can ALWAYS play trump, even if you could follow the led suit. This makes Pitch much more aggressive than most trick-taking games!
The Four Points
Each hand has exactly 4 points available:
- HIGH: Team with the highest trump card played
- LOW: Team with the lowest trump card played
- JACK: Team that captures the Jack of trump (if it's dealt)
- GAME: Team with highest total of captured "game" cards
The Four Points Explained
Point Distribution
Important Distinctions
- High & Low: Go to whoever PLAYS them, not who captures them
- Jack: Goes to whoever CAPTURES it (wins the trick)
- Game: Based on point values of ALL captured cards
"Game" Point Calculation
Count these card values from ALL cards you captured (all suits, not just trump):
Card Values for "Game"
Tie for Game
If both teams tie on "game" points, no one gets the Game point that hand. Only 3 points are awarded.
Scoring the Hand
Check the Jack
If the Jack of trump wasn't dealt (didn't appear in play), only 3 points are available this hand.
Award Points
Determine High, Low, Jack (if applicable), and Game. Award each point to the appropriate team.
Check the Bid
Did the bidding team make their bid (win at least as many points as they bid)?
Getting "Set Back"
If the bidding team doesn't make their bid, they get SET BACK - they LOSE points equal to their bid! The other team still scores any points they earned.
Winning the Game
Target Scores
Going Out
Points are awarded in order: High, Low, Jack, Game. The first team to reach the target wins - even mid-hand! This order matters when both teams are close to winning.
Bidding Strategy
Evaluate Your Trump
Count your likely points before bidding:
- Ace of your suit = High (1 point)
- Low cards (2, 3, 4) = Possible Low (1 point)
- Jack of your suit = Protect it for Jack point
- Many high cards (10s, Aces) = Likely Game point
The Risk of Bidding
Getting set hurts! Only bid what you're confident you can make. A bid of 3 means you need to win 3 of the 4 points - that's difficult!
Playing as Bidder
Lead Your Ace
If you have the Ace, pitch it first to secure High immediately.
Protect Your Jack
If you have the Jack, don't lead it! Let others lead trump so you can follow without risking it being captured.
Pull Trump
Lead trump early to exhaust opponents' trump. Then your side suits are safe for Game points.
Playing Against the Bidder
Capture the Jack
If you see the Jack played, try to win that trick! Getting the Jack point can be the difference between the bidder making or getting set.
Dump Your 10s
10s are worth 10 "game" points! If you can't win a trick, at least throw your 10s on your partner's winning tricks.
Partnership Communication
- High card lead: Partner, I have this suit controlled
- Low card lead: Partner, I'm weak here - help!
- Playing the Ace: Throw your high "game" cards on this!
- Trumping partner's winner: Avoid unless capturing the Jack
Advanced Tactics
Smothering the Jack
If you hold A-K-Q of trump and opponents have the Jack, you can lead high repeatedly to force it out under your winners.
Saving Low
If you have the 2 of trump, try to play it last when trump is led. This ensures you get Low and potentially dump a 10 on a partner's trick.
Common Variations
Adds 6 more points: 3 (Off-Jack of same color), 2 (Jokers), and 5 (5 of trump). Deal 9 cards each. Much higher scoring!
Original High, Low, Jack, Game plus: Off-Jack (1), Jokers (2 each), and 5 of trump (1). Very popular in some regions.
No partnerships - everyone plays for themselves. Deal 9 cards to each player. Same scoring, but you only count your own points.
If you bid 4 and take all 4 points, you win instantly! But if you bid 4 and don't get all 4, you're set back the full 4 points.
Regional Names
- Pitch: Most common name, refers to "pitching" trump
- Setback: Refers to being "set back" when you miss your bid
- High-Low-Jack: Describes the main scoring points
- All Fours: The original English ancestor game
- Smear: Upper Midwest variation
- Pedro: Related game popular in some areas
If everyone passes, dealer must bid 2 instead of 1. Higher stakes!
A bid of 4 wins the game instantly if successful. If not, lose 4 points (or some versions: reset to 0).