How pitch (setback) scoring works
Pitch, also called setback or high-low-jack, is a trick-taking game scored on four points a hand, High, Low, Jack and Game, with a bid that the high bidder must make or be set back.
The deal and trump
Each player is dealt six cards, usually in two batches of three, and the rest of the deck sits out the hand. The high bidder leads, or pitches, the first card, and its suit becomes trump. Two to seven can play; four in two partnerships, and three or four each for themselves (cutthroat), are the most common.
Bidding
Starting left of the dealer, each player bids how many points they expect to win, usually 2 to 4, or passes. In many games the dealer may take the bid by matching the high bid, and if everyone passes the dealer is stuck with the minimum bid. Some tables throw the hand in instead and pass the deal.
The four points
High is the highest trump in play and Low the lowest; each is worth a point. Jack is the jack of trump, a point if it was dealt. Game goes to the side whose tricks hold the most card points, counting tens 10, aces 4, kings 3, queens 2 and jacks 1; if that is tied, nobody gets it. Low usually goes to whoever wins it in a trick, but some tables give it to the player who was dealt it.
Making the bid or being set
If the high bidder takes at least as many points as they bid, they score everything they took. If not, they are set back by the amount of the bid, which is how scores go below zero, or into the hole. The other players score whatever points they took either way, unless the table plays "must bid to score."
Shooting the moon
Bidding every point, called shooting the moon or a smudge, is the big play. Under classic Setback rules a made smudge wins the game on the spot, unless the bidder was in the hole, and a missed one is set back like any bid. Other tables make it worth a fixed number of points, and some also require the bidder to take every trick.
Going out
Games are played to 7, 11, 15 or 21. The most common rule is that you can only win on a hand you bid and made, so a side that crosses the line while defending keeps playing. In Auction Pitch the bidder's points count first, then the rest in order, High, Low, Jack, Game, and whoever reaches the target first wins.
Bigger versions
Many tables add points. The off-jack, the other jack of the trump color, makes 5-point pitch; one or two jokers make 6- and 7-point. 9-point pitch adds the five of trump, worth 5. 10-point pitch adds the off-jack, two jokers and the three of trump, worth 3, and is usually played to 32 or more.
What Score All does with these rules
The bid, then the points
Pick who won the bid and the bid, then tap who took each point: High, Low, Jack and Game in the standard game. If the jack was not dealt, leave it on Not out; if Game is tied, nobody gets it. The bidder needs at least the bid, and everyone else keeps what they took.
Set back
A bidder who falls short loses the amount of the bid, so scores can go below zero. The standings mark a side that is in the hole, and every hand is one line on the sheet, so a miscount is fixed with a tap and every total after it adds up again.
Bigger games
Choose 5-point pitch with the off-jack, 6- or 7-point with one or two jokers, 9-point with the five of trump worth 5, or 10-point with the off-jack, two jokers and the three of trump worth 3. The hand form shows exactly the points your version counts, and Game can be swapped for the ten of trump.
Who goes out
Pick how a game is won at the target: only on a hand the bidder made (the usual Setback rule), the bidder goes out first and then the points count in order, High, Low, Jack, Game (Auction Pitch), or simply the highest total.
House rules
Shooting the moon (smudge) can win the game outright or be worth a set number of points, with or without needing every trick. Must bid to score, dealer stuck, the lowest bid, and Low going to whoever was dealt it are all switches. Partners, two players, or three to six cutthroat.
Pitch (Setback) scoring FAQ
How do you score pitch?
Each hand awards High, Low, Jack and Game. The bidder scores what they took if it reaches the bid, or loses the bid if not. Everyone else scores what they took.
What is Game in pitch?
A point for the side whose tricks hold the most card points: tens 10, aces 4, kings 3, queens 2, jacks 1. A tie means nobody scores it.
What happens when you get set in pitch?
You lose the amount you bid. That can put your score below zero, which is called being in the hole.
Can the non-bidding team win at pitch?
Under the usual setback rule, no: you can only go out on a hand you bid and made. Under Auction Pitch rules, yes, if the bidder does not get there first.
Is there a free pitch score keeper app?
Yes. Score All keeps pitch and setback score for free on any phone: tap who took each point and the sheet handles sets, the next dealer and who wins.
Is setback the same game as pitch?
Yes. Pitch, setback, high-low-jack and auction pitch are one family of games, scored on High, Low, Jack and Game. The house rules differ from table to table, which is why the app lets you pick them.
Can it score 10-point pitch?
Yes. Choose 10-point when you start: High, Low, Jack, the off-jack, both jokers, Game and the three of trump worth 3. 9-point pitch, with the five of trump worth 5, is there too.