It is still popular in Württemberg, where it is usually played in groups of three or four as a family game rather than in the pubs.

After the deal in the three- or four-player game, there is an auction to bid for the dabb (stack of undealt cards c.f.

[9] Players bid depending on the card points they expect to score from taking tricks and making melds.

"[10] In 1856 it is recorded as being played, alongside the game of Brelan, in Vevey on the shores of Lake Geneva.

[12] A derivative of it, known as Pinochle, is popular in the United States where it was imported by German immigrants in the second half of the 19th century.

In south Germany and online, special packs designed for Binokel are sold under the name "Gaigel/Binokel" and use German-suited, Württemberg pattern cards.

There are four suits, commonly called Acorns (German: Eichel), Leaves (Schippen, Grün, Gras, Laub), Hearts (Herz) and Bells (Schellen, Bollen).

[15] In addition to cards, a paper and pencil (or slate and chalk) will be needed for keeping score.

[14] The card values in descending order are: Ace[b] (Daus, Sau, Alte or Ass), Ten (Zehner), King (König), Ober (Ober), Unter (Unter or Bauer) and, usually, a Seven (Siebener, Leerer, Nixle, Dis, Diß or Diss).

After the first or second round of the deal, the dealer places 3 cards face-down on the table to form the tapp or, in Swabian, dabb.

Players review the strength of their hands and assess the minimum number of card points they will score by melding and taking tricks.

(weg) if doubtful of making the minimum score, or starts the bidding (anschreien) with the player to the right, usually beginning with "150!".

Rearhand (on the dealer's left) may reply with a bid (Reizen) 10 points higher or pass.

Finally the dabb is turned over for all to see and the auction winner picks it up and decides which cards to discard in exchange.

If the highest bidder does not see any chance of achieving the bid value after picking up the dabb, there is the option of 'going out' (abgehen).

The player chooses the trump suit to 'go out' in e.g. by saying "out in Leaves" (Ab in Schippen) and reveals the cards at the same time.

A rule not normally used by serious players but common in family games is 'calling' (Rufen) for a card that the declarer does not hold in order e.g. to improve melds.

Now combinations of cards or melds are placed, which make up a part of the points needed to win.

The game comprises a number of deals in which players vie to be first to reach the target score, usually 1,500 points.

[19] If a player has a particularly good hand, they may announce a durch or Durchmarsch (Swabian: d'r Obârom) which is the equivalent of a slam or march.

In bettel or untendurch (Swabian: d'r Onnârom) the aim is not to take any tricks as in a misère in other games.

No trump suit is chosen, there are no melds and, depending on the area, either the declarer or the on 'in front' (vorne) begins.

[19] This follows the rules of Three-hand Binokel except that the dealer sits out and just receives 200 points for dealing.

[22] Players are dealt 12 cards, the next is turned as trumps—if it is a Seven the dealer receives 10 points—and the remainder placed face down as a talon, half-covering the trump turnup.