Pineapple has 52 cards and is typically played as a two- to three-person game.
Dealin: Each player is dealt five cards in the beginning and then one card at a time until thirteen card hands are made (8 deals after 5 cards are dealt).The cards are all set face up. Each player must use thirteen cards consisting of 3 cards in the front hand, 5 cards in the middle hand, and 5 cards in the back hand. Play is in clockwise order and starts with the player left of the dealer.
Fouling: The back hand must be stronger than or equal to the middle hand and the middle hand must be stronger than or equal to the front hand, otherwise, the hand is not legal and is considered fouled. In this case the player who fouled loses six points (one point per line plus three point scoop bonus) per non-fouling player and each non-fouling player gains six points.
Scoring: There are basic units, scoop units and royalty units. Final Score/Game=Royalty Units+BasicUnits+Scoop Units
Fantasyland: Fantasyland is a special bonus awarded to players that make a hand that has a pair of queens (QQx) or stronger in the front hand and does not foul. When fantasyland is achieved, the next hand, the player receives all thirteen cards dealt at once.
Staying in Fantasyland: To remain in fantasyland while in fantasyland requires higher royalties, one or more of the following conditions must be met:
1. Front (and/or): Any three of a kind
2. Back (and/or): Four of a kind or higher
If the two conditions are not met, players leave fantasyland.
Note: If there is any player in fantasyland, other players can’t leave and new players can’t join.
Qualifications to get to Fantasyland are:
1. QQ in the front row gives 14 cards
2. KK in the front row gives 15 cards
3. AA+ in the front row gives 16 cards
4. Repeating Fantasyland gives 14 cards
The first fantasyland shares the same rules with Fantasyland Variant 1. Repeating Fantasyland gives the same cards as the first Fantasyland.